Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas war

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Israeli government formally declared war Sunday and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retal…

Supporters of Israel and backers of the Palestinian cause rallied in many American cities Sunday over the conflict that has killed hundreds and wounded thousands in the Middle East. 

The Israeli government formally declared war and gave the green light for “significant military steps” to retaliate against Hamas for its surprise attack from the Gaza Strip. The declaration on Sunday portended greater fighting ahead as the toll from the conflict passed 1,100 dead and thousands wounded on both sides. 

 President Joe Biden has been thrust into a Middle East crisis that risks expanding into a broader conflict and has left him fending off criticism from GOP presidential rivals that his administration’s policies led to this moment. 

Most Israelis thought it was an ironclad social contract. Citizens would serve in the military and live along enemy borders. In exchange, the army would defend them. That contract was shattered Saturday when hundreds of Hamas militants breached Israel's defenses from the Gaza Strip.

As thousands of citizens in Israel found themselves besieged, their cries for help went unanswered for hours, bringing an unsettling new sense of vulnerability and abandonment.

Watchdog groups say misinformation about the war between Israel and Hamas abounds on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter that billionaire Elon Musk bought last year.

Escalating tensions between Colombia and Israel over the Gaza war could undo decades of close military ties between the two longtime allies.

Since Israel activated the Iron Dome in 2011, the cutting-edge rocket-defense system has intercepted thousands of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. Here is a look its accomplishments and limitations.