A devastating attack involving 5,000 rockets was launched from the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, against Israel. In response, Israel carried out a lethal counteroffensive. This conflict poses a significant threat to millions of lives and represents another 21st-century war. Recent events have seen a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas, leading to intense hostilities between both sides.
Hamas
Hamas, established in 1987 during the initial Palestinian uprising, gained control over Gaza after its electoral victory in 2007. The organisation is firmly dedicated to the annihilation of Israel and carries the designation of a terrorist group by the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other nations.
Israeli Defence Forces
Formed in 1948, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) encompass the entirety of Israel’s military might, incorporating its ground, naval, and aerial components. This comprehensive military establishment was instituted a mere fortnight following Israel’s declaration of statehood.
Territorial Disputes
Gaza: Housing approximately 2 million Palestinians, many of whom experienced displacement during or after the War of Independence.
West Bank: A region smaller than Delaware, positioned to the east of Israel, inhabited by approximately 3 million Palestinian residents, primarily consisting of Muslim Arabs. This area also encompasses Jewish holy sites, annually attracting thousands of pilgrims.
East Jerusalem: Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, this area was divided, with Israel assuming control of the western portion and Jordan the eastern part. Israel gained full control over the entire city during the 1967 Six-Day War. In 2017, the Trump administration’s recognition of it as Israel’s capital was met with disapproval by many.
The heightened escalation in the ongoing situation arose as a response to Hamas’ claim of holding Israeli soldiers captive in Gaza. In reaction, Israel initiated a series of rocket strikes targeting Hamas facilities, resulting in a substantial loss of life and significant damage. There is growing concern about a potential ground assault within the next 48 hours, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly pledged to retaliate.
Tensions in the West Bank, under Israeli occupation, have also surged amidst the escalating violence. While the Palestinian Authority holds partial self-rule in this region, it faces opposition from Hamas, an organisation with the objective of seeking Israel’s destruction.
Along the Israel-Lebanon border, the situation became more disconcerting following Hamas’ infiltration into southern Israel. Israel responded by targeting a Hezbollah post in Har Dov using a drone. In solidarity with Palestinians, Hezbollah, supported by Iran, attacked Shebaa Farms. Israel retaliated with artillery strikes in southern Lebanon, targeting three military positions. Military operations also continue in eight areas near the Gaza Strip.
In the context of air raids, Israeli fighter jets carried out an attack on the property of the Hamas intelligence chief in Gaza during a barrage of rocket strikes. Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ air defence system intercepted many of the rockets, preventing further casualties. Regrettably, the death toll in Gaza, as reported by Palestine’s health ministry, has now exceeded 370 individuals due to Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes. An IDF official likened the situation to “their 9/11,” emphasising that Hamas had targeted innocent civilians.
In response to the ongoing conflict, world leaders, including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed support for Jerusalem and offered both military assistance and humanitarian aid.
The consequences of this protracted conflict have disrupted travel, resulting in the cancellation of over 200 flights to and from airports in and around Tel Aviv. The death toll has surpassed 1 million people, with thousands more injured and rendered homeless on both sides. Furthermore, these events have contributed to a surge in oil prices, posing a significant risk to the stability of the Middle East, a region responsible for supplying nearly one-third of the world’s oil.
Looking ahead, the international division in support for either Israel or Hamas in the Israel-Palestine conflict has created a dire scenario. While some nations, including the US, UK, France, Australia, and Germany, support Israel’s right to retaliate, others such as Qatar, Iran, and South Africa, back Hamas. This divide highlights the urgency of halting the ongoing cycle of senseless bloodshed and destruction, as emphasised by the Secretary-General at the Security Council.
