On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise and unprecedented attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, a coastal enclave that has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. The attack, which Hamas called “Al-Aqsa Storm”, involved firing thousands of rockets at various locations in Israel, as well as sending dozens of gunmen across the border by land, sea and air. The attack caught Israel off-guard on a major Jewish holiday, and triggered a fierce response from the Israeli military, which declared war on Hamas and unleashed deadly airstrikes on Gaza. Hundreds of people have been killed on both sides, including civilians and children, and many more have been injured or displaced. The attack also sparked international condemnation and calls for an immediate ceasefire, as well as fears of a wider regional conflict.

What is Hamas and why did it attack Israel?
Hamas is an Islamist political and military organization that was founded in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union, but also has popular support among Palestinians in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Hamas has been in control of Gaza since 2007, when it ousted its rival faction Fatah in a bloody coup. Since then, Hamas has fought several wars with Israel, the last one being in 2014, which lasted for 50 days and killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and 70 Israelis.

Hamas said that its latest attack on Israel was a response to the Israeli attacks on Palestinian worshippers at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, which is one of the holiest sites in Islam. The mosque has been a flashpoint of violence in recent months, as Israeli police have clashed with Palestinian protesters who accuse Israel of trying to change the status quo of the site, which is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount. Hamas also said that its attack was a way of breaking the siege of Gaza, which has caused severe humanitarian and economic hardship for its 2 million residents.

How did Israel react to the Hamas attack?
Israel was taken by surprise by the Hamas attack, which was described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “an act of war”. Netanyahu said that Israel would respond with “full force” and “take whatever action is necessary” to defend itself and restore security. He also said that Israel would not negotiate with Hamas or accept any ceasefire until it achieved its military objectives.

Israel’s military, known as the IDF, said that it launched hundreds of airstrikes on Gaza, targeting Hamas’s rocket launchers, tunnels, command centers, weapons depots and operatives. The IDF also said that it mobilized thousands of troops and tanks near the Gaza border, preparing for a possible ground invasion. The IDF claimed that it killed several senior Hamas commanders and destroyed most of its rocket arsenal.

However, the IDF also faced challenges in countering the Hamas attack, which was more sophisticated and coordinated than previous ones. The IDF said that some of the rockets fired by Hamas were more powerful and accurate than before, and that some of them evaded Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, which intercepts most of the incoming projectiles. The IDF also said that it had to deal with multiple infiltration attempts by Hamas gunmen, who used paragliders, boats and tunnels to cross into Israeli territory. The IDF said that it foiled most of these attempts, but also admitted that some Israeli soldiers were captured by Hamas.

What are the consequences of the war?
The war between Israel and Hamas has had devastating consequences for both sides, as well as for the region and the world. According to official sources and media reports:

At least 268 people have been killed in Gaza, including 63 children and 36 women. More than 1,900 people have been injured. About 58,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Many buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including hospitals, schools, media offices and a tower that housed several international organizations. The UN said that Gaza’s electricity supply was severely disrupted, affecting water and sanitation services. The UN also warned of a humanitarian crisis and appealed for urgent aid.
At least 70 people have been killed in Israel, including 10 children and three foreign nationals. More than 985 people have been injured. Several cities have been hit by rockets, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beer Sheba. Many buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including homes, schools and synagogues. The IDF said that more than 2,200 rockets were fired at Israel by Hamas. The Israeli government declared a state of emergency and imposed curfews and restrictions on movement.
The war has also sparked violence and unrest in other parts of Israel and the Palestinian territories, especially in mixed cities where Jews and Arabs live together. There have been reports of mobs attacking people, cars, shops and places of worship based on their ethnicity or religion3. The police have arrested hundreds of suspects and deployed reinforcements to restore order. The UN said that the situation was “a threat to the fabric of Israeli society” and called for calm and dialogue.
The war has also raised tensions and concerns in the region and the world. Several countries have condemned the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire, including the United States, Russia, China, France, Germany, Britain, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Some countries have also offered to mediate between the parties, such as Egypt, Qatar and Norway. However, there have been no signs of a breakthrough or a diplomatic solution so far. Some countries have also expressed support for one side or the other, such as Iran for Hamas and the United States for Israel. Some countries have also witnessed protests and rallies in solidarity with either side, such as France, Germany, Britain, Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia.
What are the prospects for peace?
The prospects for peace between Israel and Hamas are bleak, as both sides seem determined to continue fighting until they achieve their goals or exhaust their capabilities. Neither side has shown any willingness to compromise or accept any conditions for a ceasefire. The international community has been unable to persuade or pressure them to stop the violence or resume negotiations. The war has also deepened the divisions and hatred between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as among different factions within each side. The war has also undermined the prospects for a broader peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, which has been stalled for years.

However, some analysts and observers have suggested that there may be some opportunities or incentives for peace in the future. Some of these include:

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza may compel Hamas to seek a truce in exchange for easing the blockade or allowing aid into the territory.
The political pressure in Israel may force Netanyahu to seek a ceasefire in order to avoid losing public support or facing criticism from his rivals or allies.
The regional dynamics may encourage some countries to play a constructive role in mediating between the parties or offering incentives for peace, such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey or Qatar.
The international involvement may increase the pressure on both sides to end the violence or resume negotiations, such as from the United States, Russia, China or the European Union.
The public opinion may influence both sides to seek peace or dialogue instead of war or hatred, such as from civil society groups, religious leaders or ordinary citizens.
I hope this blog post was helpful and informative. Please let me know if you have any feedback or questions. Thank you for reading. 😊