What is Hamas and why is it fighting with Israel in Gaza?

Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.

The Israeli military responded with air strikes on Gaza, and launched a ground offensive. More than 16,200 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run government.

Fighting has resumed after a seven-day temporary truce, during which Hamas released more than 100 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinians who were held in Israeli jails.

What is the goal of Israel's military operation in Gaza?
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warplanes have been carrying out strikes across Gaza while its troops move through the territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has a "clear goal of destroying Hamas's military and governing capabilities", as well as freeing the hostages.

He also declared that Israel would have "overall security responsibility" for the Gaza Strip "for an indefinite period" after the conflict. Israel later said it has no plans to reoccupy the territory.

Israel has drafted 300,000 reservists for the operation, to boost its standing force of 160,000.

What is happening on the ground in Gaza?
The IDF says it has struck thousands of targets belonging to Hamas - which Israel, the UK, US and other Western powers class as a terrorist organisation.

It also says it has destroyed hundreds of tunnel shafts built underneath Gaza. Hamas has claimed that its tunnel network stretches for 500km (310 miles).

A number of hospitals in the north were caught up in intense fighting.