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It’s now four days since the militant group Hamas launched a series of surprise attacks in southern Israel, taking scores of civilians back to Gaza. It was followed by a violent Israeli response, raining bombs on Gaza - a strip of land surrounded by Israel and the Egyptian border where more than 2 million Palestinians live.

Since the attack by Hamas on Saturday morning, more than 3,000 people have died on both sides. The Israeli military says it has regained control of the border with Gaza.

In a televised address, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military will use "enormous force" against Hamas. The armed wing of Hamas has threatened to kill a hostage every time Israel carries out an air strike without warning civilians.

Hamas kidnapped at least a hundred Israelis – among them Yoni Asher’s two small daughters, his wife and her mother and her mother’s partner. Yoni told Newsday what it has been like since his family was taken to Gaza.

"No sleeping. No eating. I feel like I can do nothing. But I want them to know that they should feel safe, and they should feel hope."

(Pic: Yoni Asher; Credit: Reuters)

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