Israel-Gaza conflict

Israel exchanged rocket and artillery fire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in Gaza May 12-21. In the conflict, at least 243 people were killed in Gaza, more than 100 of whom were women or children. In Israel, 13 people, including two children, were killed. More than 4,300 rockets were indiscriminately fired toward Israeli cities from Gaza, while Israel struck more than 1,000 sites in Gaza.

The conflict began after Israeli police stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque during a Palestinian protest against homes in East Jerusalem being confiscated by Israeli settlers. In response to that action, Hamas began firing rockets.

A cease-fire was agreed upon on May 21, which was holding at press time.