What Israel's declaration of war against Hamas means for the Palestine conflict

Israel government has formally declared war against Hamas and intensified its bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a major surprise attack by the militants over the weekend. In a major attack on south Israel, which is also seen a a major intelligence failure of Tel Aviv, Hamas militants detonated explosives to breach the border and entered Israel in bikes and SUVs. They also used the sea route to infiltrate Israel. Fighting continued even on Monday with authorities saying that as many as 1,000 militants are involved.

Israel has called up special forces to retake four Israeli sites held by Hamas. The rampage included an assault on a music festival where authorities had removed about 260 bodies by Sunday. So far at least 700 people were reported killed in Israel and more than 400 in Gaza, with thousands wounded on both sides. According to United Nations more than 123,000 people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the conflict between Palestinian militants and Israel.

What war declaration means?

In the past, Israel had carried out major military campaigns in Lebanon and Gaza that it portrayed as wars, but without a formal declaration. But according to Middle East observers, formal declaration of war means Israeli military could take "significant military steps" against Hamas. A major question remains if Israel's military campaign against Hamas could include a ground assault into Gaza, which may significantly casualties and the conflict could drag on.

According to Israel's military, it has launched air strikes on more than 800 targets in Gaza by Sunday, including the town of Beit Hanoun which was seen as the staging ground for attacks by Hamas.

However, with Hamas holding many Israelis captive, which is a sensitive issue in Israel, it remains to be seen how Tel Aviv take further steps in its military campaign against Hamas. A leader of Hamas said captives held by the militant organization would not be released until all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are freed.

The conflict comes at a difficult time for Israel, which has been facing the biggest protests in its history over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to weaken the Supreme Court while he is on trial for corruption. The protestors accuse Netanyahu of making a power grab. That has bitterly divided society and unleashed turmoil within the military, which hundreds of reservists, seen as a backbone of Israel army, threatening to stop volunteering to report for duty in protest. The protests also raise concerns about cohesion and operational readiness within Israel's military ranks.

US response

US President Joe Biden on Sunday spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, pledging his full support for the government and people of Israel. President Biden also updated the Prime Minister on the intensive diplomatic engagement undertaken by the United States over in support of Israel, a White House statement said. Joe Biden also offered additional assistance for the Israeli Defense Forces. Following Biden's pledge of support for Israel, the Pentagon on Sunday announced that it was sending additional munitions to Israel and moving Navy warships closer to the country in a show of support. US is also increasing the number of Air Force fighter jets and attack planes in the region to “bolster regional deterrence efforts,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. (With Agency Inputs)