A Closer Look: How tensions escalated between Israel and Gaza

In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Palestine

Saturday's surprise attack on Israel by Hamas has dramatically escalated tensions in the region and resulted in hundreds of deaths.

Considered the worst violence between Israel and Gaza in decades, the situation continues to unfold and is beginning to have knock-on effects around the world.

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to Arab affairs editor Ismaeel Naar to hear what caused the situation to escalate at the weekend and whether there is an end in sight to the bloodshed.

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Israel - Gaza war latest – in pictures

Smoke near houses and buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza city. Reuters

People sleep in a bomb shelter as rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Reuters

Israeli soldiers drive in a tank by Israel's border with Gaza in southern Israel. Reuters

Palestinians inspect the massive destruction following Israeli air strikes on Gaza City's Al Rimal district. AFP

The abandoned site of the Supernova desert music festival in southern Israel. AFP

Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed in the Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

Palestinians attend a rally in support of Hamas and the Gaza Strip in the West Bank city of Nablus. AP

A medic tends to an injured child following Israeli air strikes in the Rimal district of Gaza city. Bloomberg

Injured civilians arrive at a hospital following Israeli airstrikes in the Rimal district of Gaza City. Bloomberg

Israeli soldiers patrol a road near the border fence with Gaza. AFP

Palestinians sit among rubbles of a damaged residential building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Gaza city. Reuters

People gather at the site where a rocket landed in Ashdod, southern Israel. Reuters

Pictures of Natthaporn On-kaew, 26, a factory worker in Gaza, who has been abducted in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at his house in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. Reuters

A fire burns among the rubble of a damaged residential building in Gaza city. Reuters

Palestinians view aftermath of an Israeli air strike on Gaza city. EPA

A Palestine Red Crescent Society paramedic carries a wounded child to Al Shifa hospital in Gaza city, following an Israeli air strike. EPA

People view a sign showing landed and cancelled flights at the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, south-east of Tel Aviv. Getty Images

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Toronto, capital of Canada's Ontario province. AFP

A rally in support of Israel in Aventura, Florida. AFP

Israeli soldiers at the funeral of Ili Bar Sade, a soldier killed in an attack by Hamas militants, in Tel Aviv. Reuters

Lightning strikes as smoke billows following Israeli bombardment of Gaza City. AFP

A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment of Gaza city. AFP

Israeli artillery soldiers clean a cannon at an area on the border with Gaza, southern Israel. EPA

Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli air strike on buildings in the refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip. AFP

Palestinians assess damage in Gaza city. EPA

Israeli soldiers cordon off an area after a shooting in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. AFP

Palestinians evacuate the area after an Israeli air strike on Al Sousi Mosque in Gaza city. AFP

A site struck by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip is evacuated in Ashkelon, southern Israel. AP

Israeli troops in Merkava tanks take position near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. AFP

The heavily hit refugee camp of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip is littered with debris. AFP

Israeli soldiers take cover during a missile attack next to the border with Gaza, near Sderot, southern Israel. EPA

The rubble of a building destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters

A plume of smoke rises over Gaza city as Israeli air strikes hit. AFP

Grief at the funeral of Palestinians from the Shamalkh family, who health officials said were killed in Israeli strikes, in Gaza city. Reuters

Palestinians inspect damaged buildings in the aftermath of Israeli strikes at Al Shati refugee camp in Gaza city. Reuters

A wedding photo in the rubble of a building in Ashkelon, southern Israel. Reuters

Destruction in Gaza city's Al Shati refugee camp. AFP

A mosque destroyed by Israeli strikes in Gaza city. AFP

A vigil for Israeli victims at the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. AFP

An Israeli soldier directs armoured vehicles heading towards the border with the Gaza Strip. Getty Images

A burnt out car from a battle between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in Sderot. Getty Images

A police station that was destroyed in Sderot. Getty Images

A missile explodes in Gaza city. AFP