Unprecedented Assault: Hamas Attacks Israel on October 7
On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a historic assault on Israel, marking one of the most significant escalations in the ongoing conflict. Hundreds of Hamas gunmen infiltrated communities near the Gaza Strip, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 individuals taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli officials. In retaliation, the Israeli military conducted air and artillery strikes, which Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry claims have killed more than 33,000 Palestinians.
Understanding the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The roots of the Israel-Palestine conflict can be traced back to the early 20th century when Britain took control of Palestine following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. The region was home to a Jewish minority and an Arab majority, leading to rising tensions as the international community tasked the UK with establishing a “national home” for Jewish people in Palestine. This directive stemmed from the Balfour Declaration of 1917, a promise made by then Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to the Jewish community.
From the 1920s to the 1940s, Jewish immigration to Palestine increased, particularly in the wake of the Holocaust. By 1947, the UN proposed a partition plan to establish separate Jewish and Arab states, which was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by the Arab side.
The Creation of Israel and Its Aftermath
In 1948, as Britain withdrew from the region, Jewish leaders declared the establishment of the State of Israel, intending to create a safe haven for Jews fleeing persecution. This declaration led to immediate conflict, with five Arab nations launching an attack on Israel the following day. This period, known as Al Nakba or “the Catastrophe,” saw hundreds of thousands of Palestinians either fleeing or being expelled from their homes.
By the end of the war, Israel had established control over most of the territory, while Jordan occupied the West Bank and Egypt controlled Gaza. The lack of a peace agreement led to ongoing violence and conflict in the decades that followed.
Territorial Changes and Ongoing Tensions
In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, and other territories. Most Palestinian refugees and their descendants currently reside in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries like Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, with Israel denying their right of return.
Israel still occupies the West Bank and claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are deemed illegal under international law, though Israel contests this view.
The Gaza Strip: A Dense and Challenging Environment
The Gaza Strip, a narrow land corridor bordered by Israel and the Mediterranean Sea, is home to over two million people, making it one of the most densely populated areas globally. Following the 1948-49 war, Gaza was occupied by Egypt until Israel took control in the 1967 war. Although Israel withdrew its military and settlers in 2005, it maintains control over Gaza’s airspace, borders, and shoreline, leading the UN to consider it still occupied.
Key Issues in the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Several critical issues remain unresolved between Israelis and Palestinians:
- Palestinian Refugees: The fate of Palestinian refugees and their right to return remains contentious.
- Settlements: The future of Jewish settlements in the West Bank is a major point of disagreement.
- Jerusalem: Both sides claim Jerusalem as their capital.
- Palestinian Statehood: The establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is a complex and contentious issue.
Attempts at Peace and Current Hostilities
Israel-Palestine peace talks have occurred sporadically from the 1990s to the 2010s but have often been interrupted by violence. The Oslo Accords in the early 1990s raised hopes for peace, but these efforts were undermined by ongoing violence, political opposition, and a lack of trust.
Currently, Gaza is governed by Hamas, an Islamist group committed to Israel’s destruction and designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including the UK. Following Hamas’s electoral victory in 2006, the group ousted the rival Fatah movement and has since engaged in multiple conflicts with Israel.
Tensions in the region have escalated, particularly this year, which has been the deadliest on record for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli restrictions and military actions in response to attacks have led to claims of collective punishment from Gaza residents.
International Reactions
The United States and the European Union condemned Hamas’s attacks on Israel, with the U.S. providing significant military and economic aid to Israel. In contrast, Russia and China have refrained from condemning Hamas and are maintaining contact with both parties. Iran, a primary supporter of Hamas, has been accused of providing backing for its military operations, although Tehran denies direct involvement.
As the conflict escalates, the questions surrounding international support, humanitarian concerns, and the broader implications of the violence remain at the forefront of discussions regarding peace and security in the region.
