Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, Gaza lies in ruins, and the Middle East is sliding towards a wider conflict. The war has deepened the hostility and mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians. The assault killed more than 1,200 people, including 240 Israelis and foreigners captured as hostages. The Israeli response with aerial bombardment and a ground invasion has resulted in the largest loss of Palestinian life since 1948. Israeli troops are still battling Hamas militants in Gaza, and a dire humanitarian crisis threatens the lives of even more Gazans.
