Israel, Palestinian Territories: Conflict Intensifies in the Gaza Strip

Israel and Gaza could be heading toward a war neither side wants. On July 20, Hamas militants and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had a gun battle that left at least one soldier dead and several more wounded. In response, IDF announced the start of a military operation against the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip. After a week of heightened tensions between Hamas and Israel, the Israeli Cabinet held an emergency meeting to decide on a course of action....