Volleys of rockets have been launched at Israel, blazing fire through the sky. Airstrikes have rained down on the densely populated Gaza Strip. The threat of Israeli tanks rolling across the border in a ground invasion is very real.
The escalating and deadly conflict sees two sides with very different military capabilities clash in a struggle that has left more than a thousand dead.
Israel’s is a more conventional military comparable to that of America or Britain – with the notable difference that it operates conscription – while Hamas is a very well-armed guerrilla organisation.
Sky News speaks to a military expert and looks at the different weapons and equipment each side has at its disposal.
What military hardware does Israel have?
Israel’s military features a large number of tanks and armoured vehicles because they make a “real difference” when crossing borders into other territories, professor Michael Clarke tells Sky News.
Its Merkava tank is similar to the German Leopard 2 battle tank that has become well-known for its use in Ukraine.
Designed and largely manufactured in Israel, the tank features heavy front armour to provide maximum protection for its four crew and is armed with a 120mm main gun as well as secondary armaments.
In terms of air power the Israeli military uses its own Kfir fighter jets – multirole warplanes based on the French-made Mirage aircraft.
The air force also has a number of advanced F-35 Lightning II jets obtained from the US.
The Israeli military in general is high-tech and very innovative, professor Clarke says, and also makes frequent use of drone technology.
An open secret when it comes to Israel is the presence of nuclear weapons, he added. “They have them for sure, 100%.
“No Israeli will ever confirm or deny.”
Mr Clarke says that Israeli military doctrine accounts for the use of nuclear weapons as a “final deterrent” in situations where the existence of the state of Israel is perceived to be threatened by foreign powers.
“They have not got plans to use them in Gaza… it’s too close.”
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Read more:
‘Complete siege’ of Gaza Strip ordered
Israel faces a perilous challenge
What is Hamas – and why has it chosen now to strike?
What about Hamas?
Hamas is one of the most heavily armed guerrilla organisations in the world, professor Clarke says.
It lacks the same type of armoured vehicles as Israel for various reasons, including that it would be a very visible target for Israeli strikes, he says.
“They operate from utility vehicles like Land Rover Discoverys and mount a weapon on the back, like a 30-calibre heavy machine gun.”
These can be very mobile and have been used to devastating effect.
And while Israel has its formidable Iron Dome air defence system, Hamas has been able to overwhelm it with sheer numbers of rockets like it did in recent days.
It uses different versions of the Iranian-made Fateh-110 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles which are road-mobile and can carry warheads weighing up to 500kg.
Hamas also has anti-tank missiles similar to the US’ Stinger.
“Hamas are very well-equipped with certain sorts of things and they are trained to use them,” professor Clarke said.
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Asked how many fighters Hamas has, professor Clarke said they have previously been estimated to have around 10,000, but added that “when violence flairs they can mobilise lots of people”.
“So their numbers can go from 10,000 committed Hamas people to anything up to 40,000, 50,000,” he added.
