Your Evening Briefing: Israel Mobilizes 300,000 in War With Hamas

The surprise attack on Israel by Gaza-based militant group Hamas and intensifying retaliatory strikes by Israeli forces have killed more than 1,500 people, mostly civilians. On Monday, the fighting in the south of Israel and the bombing of Gaza continued as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said retaliation has “only started.” Israel announced its largest-ever mobilization, more than 300,000 army reservists, as its forces sought to prevent further incursions while potentially preparing for a ground invasion of densely populated Gaza. Israel has reportedly cut off the impoverished strip from any transport of food or fuel. A spokesman for Hamas said the group—which killed hundreds of civilians in its weekend attack—was prepared to kill hostages it took during the assault. Abu Obaida told Al Jazeera that Hamas would kill one hostage every hour should Israel strike civilian homes in Gaza without warning. In the north, Israel’s military said it killed an unspecified number of infiltrators who had crossed into its territory from Lebanon. And while Iran-backed Hezbollah claimed credit for launching strikes at Israel, the US says it doesn’t have any specific intelligence or evidence that points to direct participation by the militant group’s patron. Still, to the west, a US aircraft carrier battle group is steaming toward the area. Read the latest on the war here.

Fertilizer makers jumped after the surprise attack on Israel raised concerns over how the conflict could impact global supplies of nutrients used to grow crucial food crops. Israel’s Port of Ashdod, just north of Gaza and a key hub for the country’s potash fertilizer exports, is now in emergency mode and as much as 3% of global potash supply is possible risk. Oil surged in the aftermath the attack amid fears of a wider conflict.