What's happening?

On Saturday, millions of IsraeliFrom Israel, a country in the Middle East. Just over 70% of its population is Jewish, while 20% is Arab. people woke up ready to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Simchat TorahA Jewish religious holiday in early October, celebrating the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. . Normally there is dancing and singing. But this year was very different.

Early in the morning, the country was attacked with rockets. Meanwhile, fighters from the PalestinianPalestine is an area of the eastern Mediterranean region, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of modern Israel. It has been fought over by Arab and Jewish national movements for many years. militantFavouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause. group HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. crossed from GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. into Israel. They kidnapped and killed people. So far, we know that hundreds of people have died.

For decades, IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land. and PalestineAn area located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia. have been in a deadly disagreement over land.

The Gaza stripThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt. is a tiny area of land but home to 2.3 million Palestinian people. It has been under blockadeSealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving. from Israel for 16 years. Some human rights groups call it an "open-air prison".

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In response to the attack by Hamas, the Israeli prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.  Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war. At least 370 Palestinian people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza over the weekend.

Before the latest conflictA state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals., 6,407 Palestinians and 308 Israelis had been killed since 2008 as a result of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with thousands more injured.

This new war is one of many happening around the world. The war in Ukraine is still going on. Thousands of people have fled Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan took control of the area. Some say that we will never see peace.

Yes! The world can see peace - but all of the countries around the world will need to work hard to make it happen. There can never be peace while some countries are attacking or invading others.

No! Today, millions of people around the world are affected by war. It seems that when people cannot agree, they cannot be peaceful.