Mohammed Salem/REUTERS
- Defense sector stocks rose Monday, after war broke out between Israel and Hamas this weekend.
- Northrop Grumman led the sector, with General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and RTX also surging.
- Commentators warn that the conflict could expand in the Middle East, putting pressure on markets.
The explosion in hostilities between Israel and Hamas sent US defense stocks surging on Monday as the war looks to play out for a while and threatens to expand regionally.
The conflict erupted over the weekend when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip, sending thousands of rockets across the border and fighters pouring into the country.