Summary: Israel has escalated its bombardments of the Gaza Strip following a declaration of war and a vow to destroy the “military and governing capabilities” of Hamas. Israeli forces are engaged in ongoing battles with Gaza gunmen, attempting to dislodge them from areas of southern Israel. The death toll in Israel has surpassed 700, with more than 400 killed in Gaza. Palestinian militant groups claim to be holding over 130 captives from Israel, sparking fears of further escalation. Israel’s declaration of war signals a potentially lengthy and intense period of conflict, with concerns about hostages complicating the response.