Ten Key Moments In Israel’s War With Hamas

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 when Palestinian militants rampaged through southern Israel.

The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel responded with a devastating military campaign in Hamas-ruled Gaza that has killed at least 22,600 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the besieged territory.

AFP looks back at key moments in the three-month war which has devastated the Gaza Strip and sent shockwaves across the region.

Oct. 7: Hamas attacks

At dawn on October 7, at the end of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, hundreds of Hamas fighters infiltrate Israel from Gaza by land, sea and air.

They kill civilians indiscriminately in the streets, in their homes and at a desert music festival, and attack troops in army bases, in the worst ever attack in Israel’s history.

They also take about 250 people hostage.

Israel vows to destroy Hamas and begins bombarding Gaza.

Oct. 13: exodus from north Gaza

On October 13, Israel calls on civilians in northern Gaza to move south within 24 hours, declaring the north, which includes Gaza City, a war zone.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee to the south as entire districts in the north are razed to the ground.

Oct. 17: hospital blast

On October 17, an explosion in the car park of Gaza’s Al-Ahli hospital leaves scores of people dead.

Hamas accuses Israel, which denies responsibility and blames a misfired rocket launched by Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group — a claim backed by the United States.

Oct. 27: tanks enter Gaza

On October 27, Israeli tanks roll into Gaza at the start of a much-feared ground offensive.

The troops fight their way towards Gaza City.

Nov. 15: outcry over hospital raid

On November 15, Israeli troops launch a night-time raid on Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza’s biggest medical facility where bodies had been piling up after food, fuel and anaesthetics ran out.

The raid causes an international outcry, and Israel claims Hamas is running a command centre below the hospital, which the armed group denies.

Nov. 24: truce and hostage swap

On November 24, a week-long truce between Israel and Hamas takes effect.

Hamas releases 80 hostages over seven days in return for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, and aid shipments are allowed into Gaza.

Twenty-five other hostages, mainly Thai farm workers, are released outside of the scope of the deal.

Dec. 4: tanks in south Gaza

As the war resumes Israel expands its actions against Hamas into southern Gaza, which had previously been considered relatively safe.

On December 4, dozens of tanks entered the south of the territory, which is packed with internally displaced Palestinians.

Dec. 8: US veto

The United States vetoes a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, despite a growing international clamour for an end to Israel’s campaign.

Two weeks later Washington approves a resolution demanding more aid be allowed into Gaza but not a halt in the fighting.

Dec. 18: Red Sea coalition

The US announces the formation of an international naval coalition to protect container ships in the Red Sea from a surge in attacks by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.

The Huthis say the drone and missile strikes are in solidarity with Gazans.

Jan. 2: Hamas deputy leader killed

Hamas’s deputy leader Saleh al-Aruri is killed along with six other Hamas members in a missile strike on south Beirut.

He is the most high-profile Hamas member to be killed since the war began.

Israel does not deny responsibility.

AFP

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.