This Week in Explainers: What is happening in Israel? A look at the Hamas attack

Another ‘war’ has broken out. This time in West Asia. An unprecedented attack by the militant group Hamas on Israel has left more than 300 dead. It prompted retribution from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Citizens of Israel, we are at war – not in an operation, not in rounds – at war,” Netanyahu said in a video message on Saturday, as the country launched airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation. More than 230 have been killed in Israel’s revenge attack. The more than 100-year-old conflict between Israel and Palestine has taken a deadly turn . The history of the region is complicated and the fallout of the latest conflict will impact geopolitics in the region and beyond. We break it down for you.

Meanwhile, tensions between India and Canada continue unabated over the K-factor. Though Justin Trudeau seems to be slowly backing away after weeks of allegations, Ottawa has still not banned five pro-Khalistani outfits despite New Delhi repeatedly urging it to do so. An irate India threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of Canadian envoys if Ottawa did not reduce its diplomatic presence. Days after the warning, a majority of its diplomats working in India have been moved outside of New Delhi to either Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. In America, events in the US House which had long threatened to spiral out of Kevin McCarthy’s control, finally did so with spectacular results – leaving the Republican humiliated and with the ignominy of being the only House Speaker deposed ‘on a motion to vacate’ in the republic’s long and storied history. In Iran, a 16-year-old girl is in a coma after being brutally beaten by the ‘morality police’. The case of the teen, identified as Armita Garawand, has for many brought back memories of the death of Mahsa Amini last September – and shone a fresh spotlight on the plight of women in Iran. [caption id=“attachment_13213702” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The latest incident in Iran has put many in mind of the death of Mahsa Amini last September.[/caption] With the Nobel season in full swing, it is worth taking a fresh look at the awards themselves as well as their creator Alfred Nobel. Over in Spain, work on the five central towers of the famed Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is finally complete. Not too shabby considering construction on them began in 1882. Dios Mio! All of this and more in our recap of the top international stories from the week: 1. The Israel and Palestine conflict escalated after a surprise attack by Hamas. It’s a “black day” said Netanyahu, as he vowed “mighty vengeance” and he told Israelis that they are entering a “long and difficult” war. But what prompted Hamas to unleash more than 5,000 rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip? We explain and bring you a brief history of the militant group. [caption id=“attachment_13218262” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Fire and smoke rise from an explosion on a Palestinian apartment tower following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, on Saturday. More than 230 have been killed in Israel’s response. AP[/caption] 2. Delhi has asked Ottawa to ban at least five pro-Khalistan outfits including the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and the Khalistan Commando Force (KFC). This piece examines the origins of these terrorist groups, their top leadership, where they are based and who is funding them. With New Delhi in no mood to relent and Ottawa not backing down despite Trudeau saying he does not want to escalate diplomatic tensions – well done on that account by the way – India threatened to withdraw diplomatic immunity if 40 Canadian diplomats do not exit by 10 October. They have been moved out of New Delhi. Here is a detailed look at the concept of diplomatic immunity, its history, and the rules governing its withdrawal. [caption id=“attachment_13213662” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The High Commission of Canada in New Delhi. PTI[/caption] 3. As Kevin McCarthy exits stage left as House Speaker, some on the far-right have thrown their support to one eyebrow-raising name as a replacement – former president Donald J Trump. But questions about his eligibility as House Speaker remain – not to mention the small matters of his legal troubles and running for president. We look at the chances of the former president becoming House Speaker and take a gander at the firm favourites, dark horses and longshots. 4. Targeted on Iran’s metro for not wearing a hijab and brutally beaten by women morality police officers, Armita Garawand is fighting for her life. Authorities in Iran have denied any verbal or physical conflict occurred – which of course they have – and the poor girl’s parents have been pressed into toeing the official line of ‘low blood pressure’. This piece takes a detailed look at the sad incident and its echoes of Mahsa Amini’s case. 5. The Nobel season is set to end on Monday with the announcement of the prize for economics. While the award famously comprises a $1 million award, how much do you really know about it? Like, for instance, why is there no prize for mathematics? How many Peace Prize winners have been stopped from attending the ceremony? And can the prizes be awarded posthumously? This piece answers all the questions you want – and several you didn’t even know you needed answered. [caption id=“attachment_13199572” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A painting by Swedish artist Emil Österman depicting the founder of the Nobel Prize, Alfred Nobel. nobelprize.org[/caption] 6. While the Spanish are famed for taking siestas – their famed afternoon naps – one might argue there are some examples of taking it too far. Like work on the magnificent Sagrada Familia for example – which has been happening off and on for the past 144 years! Here’s a look at the long, winding road to completion of work on the five domes of the famed structure in Barcelona. Watch this space for more explainers. PS: In this special Vantage edition , Firstpost executive editor Palki Sharma brings you the full story on the Israel-Palestine conflict.