The war between Israel and Iran continues to rage on, with both sides ramping up deadly attacks on one another, threatening to engulf the region in a broader conflict. How did the war begin? Why did Israel initiate it?

Israel and Iran traded deadly fire for a fourth consecutive day on Monday in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East.

Many of those confirmed dead were women and children, according to the authorities, although they have yet to publicly name all of the victims.

The intensifying conflict has heightened fears of a protracted all-out war and widespread instability in the region.

Israel and Iran launched a new round of attacks as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals enters its fifth day.

Israel is reluctant to accept Russia's mediation in its war with Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on June 17, according to the Russian state news agency TASS. "At the moment, we see reluctance — at least on Israel’s part — to resort to mediation or pursue a peaceful resolution,

As Israeli attacks on Iran, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, enter their sixth day, the deepening conflict is sparking fears in Islamabad, say analysts, rooted in its complex ties with Tehran and the even greater unease at the prospect of the Israeli military’s aerial influence extending close to the Pakistani border.

Emergency services say 10 have been killed in Israel, while Iranian state media has given little information about casualties in Iran.