From Historical Roots to Modern Strife: The Israel-Hamas War

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The Israel-Hamas War began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) launched a major attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air. This assault led to over 1,200 deaths, mostly Israeli citizens, and more than 240 hostages, marking the deadliest day for Israel since its founding. In response, Israel declared a state of war on October 8, the first since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched air strikes on Gaza and later sent in ground troops and armored vehicles. By November 2024, the conflict had resulted in over 43,000 deaths in Gaza and significant destruction, with two-thirds of buildings damaged or destroyed.

The roots of this conflict date back to 1948 when the establishment of Israel led to the displacement of many Palestinians who became refugees in Gaza. The unresolved status of Palestinians resulted in recurrent violence, with the Gaza Strip falling under Israeli control after the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1993, the Oslo Accords offered hope for peace with plans for a Palestinian state alongside Israel. However, Hamas, opposed to the agreement, disrupted the peace process with terror attacks. The peace plan ultimately failed after suicide bombings and the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.

In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza, but by 2007, Hamas had taken control following internal Palestinian conflict, leading to a blockade by Israel and Egypt. The region experienced major conflicts between Israel and Hamas in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. Gaza's high population density and underground tunnels complicated these conflicts, which had devastating effects on civilians but typically ended in temporary ceasefires.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas's surprise attack caught Israel unprepared, leading to a tragic day of violence. The IDF's response escalated the conflict, causing severe casualties and destruction in Gaza. In early 2022, PIJ and other groups in the West Bank conducted attacks in Israel, prompting IDF raids that resulted in the deadliest year in the West Bank since the second intifada. Meanwhile, internal political turmoil in Israel, including reforms proposed by Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right cabinet, weakened the IDF's readiness for war.

During this period, Saudi Arabia was negotiating a peace deal with Israel and the United States, seeking concessions on Palestinian issues. This deal was seen as a potential factor behind Hamas's October 7 attack. Iran, supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and other regional groups, played a crucial role in the conflict by providing military support to Hamas.

In November 2024, an independent inquiry criticized the Israeli government for bolstering Hamas and leaving the IDF unprepared for the attack. The inquiry named key Israeli officials and highlighted the government's failures. The Israel-Hamas War of 2023-2024 is part of the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict, rooted in historical grievances and political complexities. Both sides have endured immense suffering, with peace remaining a distant and challenging goal.

The October 7 Hamas attack on Israel drew widespread condemnation for its terrorism against civilians. Many Western countries, including India, Japan, and South Korea, denounced the attack, while some Arab countries, Turkey, Russia, and China urged restraint instead. U.S. President Joe Biden pledged support for Israel and visited the country during the conflict. Concerns grew about the war's global impact, with disruptions in shipping and deadly attacks on U.S. troops in the region.

As the war led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel faced international pressure to allow aid into the territory, and calls for a ceasefire intensified. Accusations of genocide against Israel emerged, leading to legal actions by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, which ordered Israel to prevent genocide and halt its offensive in Rafah.

The war sparked a rise in anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and racism against Arabs and Palestinians. In the United States, incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia increased significantly. Universities saw protests and calls for divestment from Israel, leading to concerns about student safety and freedom of speech, with some protests resulting in arrests and suspensions.

This ongoing strife underscores the deep-rooted and complex nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with both sides suffering immensely and the path to peace remaining fraught with challenges.

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