Israel-hamas conflict: recent developments in october 2023 and historical context explained

11.10.2023 06:36

1. Historical origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has its roots in a complex history of competing national aspirations, displacement, and historical events. The establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948 by David Ben-Gurion marked a significant turning point. Israel was seen as a safe-haven for Jews fleeing persecution and sought to provide them with a national home​¹. However, Palestinians refer to this event as the Nakba, or catastrophe, as it led to their dispossession and dashed dreams of statehood​¹.

The war that followed resulted in the displacement of approximately 700,000 Palestinians from their homes​¹. Many fled or were driven out to neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, as well as Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem​¹. This mass exodus deepened the divide between Israelis and Palestinians.

Key factors contributing to the ongoing conflict include differing views on a two-state solution​¹. While Israel supports the idea of a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside Israel’s security concerns​¹, Hamas rejects this proposal and is committed to Israel’s destruction​¹. The issue of Jewish settlements built on land occupied by Israel in 1967 also remains contentious. Most countries consider these settlements illegal while Israel disputes this claim based on historical and Biblical ties to the land​¹.

Jerusalem is another major point of contention. Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be their capital while Israel insists on Jerusalem remaining its “indivisible and eternal” capital​¹. Additionally, the question of Palestinian refugees who have been displaced since 1948 remains unresolved. Palestinians demand that refugees be allowed to return along with their descendants, while Israel maintains that any resettlement should occur outside its borders​¹.

It is important to note that various wars and uprisings throughout history have further fueled tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. From the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel captured the West Bank, Arab East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, to the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when Egypt and Syria attacked Israeli positions, these conflicts have deepened divides and further complicated prospects for peace​¹.

The historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has shaped the current situation between Israel and Hamas. Competing national aspirations, displacement of Palestinians, and unresolved issues such as settlements, Jerusalem, and refugees continue to contribute to the ongoing tensions between the two sides​¹.

2. Recent developments in October 2023

In October 2023, the Israel-Hamas conflict took a devastating turn with a surprise attack by Hamas​². The scale and complexity of the attacks shocked leaders around the world, as it came after decades of relentless conflict that has caused immense human suffering and strained regional stability​².

Hamas launched several thousand rockets into southern and central Israel, hitting cities as far north as Tel Aviv​³. They also breached the heavily fortified Gaza border and infiltrated Israeli towns and villages, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Israeli troops and civilians​³. This assault was unprecedented in its strategy, scale, and secrecy, catching both Israeli and U.S. intelligence agencies off-guard​³. It has inflicted deep psychological trauma on the Israeli people, with some analysts drawing comparisons to the surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor and September 11th​³.

Israel responded with intensifying airstrikes on targets in Gaza and ground operations to push out Hamas militants from their territory​³. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a “long and difficult war” against Hamas​³. The military response is expected to be extraordinary, potentially including a full-scale invasion of Gaza which could incur heavy casualties on both sides​³. Such an invasion could also provoke a significant attack by Hezbollah in Lebanon, risking wider conflagration in the region​³.

The international community has been closely monitoring these developments. In recent years, there has been evolving debate within Western capitals about Israel’s actions during conflicts with Hamas​⁴. Democrats in particular have used unusually stern language about Israel’s bombardment during previous conflicts, suggesting changing views within the party regarding this long-standing conflict​⁴.

The recent developments in October 2023 highlight the ongoing cycle of violence between Israel and Hamas. Both sides have engaged in military offensives that have led to loss of life and further destabilized the region. The implications for regional stability remain uncertain as tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Hamas​¹³.

3. Impact of Hamas surprise attack on Israel

Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel in October 2023 has had significant consequences and implications for Israeli security measures, public sentiment, and political dynamics within both the Gaza Strip and West Bank territories​³. The scale and intensity of the attack have prompted Israel to declare war on Hamas and launch a military response of unprecedented magnitude​³.

In terms of Israeli security measures, the government has ordered the evacuation of all civilians from Israeli communities bordering Gaza​³. This reflects concerns about the safety of Israeli citizens in close proximity to Hamas militants. Additionally, there are questions about whether Israel will attempt a full-scale invasion and reoccupation of the Palestinian territory, which could incur heavy casualties on both sides​³.

The surprise nature of the attack has inflicted deep psychological trauma on the Israeli people​³. Some analysts have drawn comparisons to historic surprise attacks such as Pearl Harbor and September 11th, emphasizing the profound impact this event has had on Israeli society​³. Furthermore, there is ongoing debate within Western capitals about Israel’s actions during conflicts with Hamas, suggesting changing views within some political circles regarding this long-standing conflict​⁴.

Politically, the attack has further complicated dynamics within both Gaza Strip and West Bank territories. In Gaza, Hamas’ assault was seen as a demonstration of strength against Israel’s blockade and occupation of Palestinian lands​³. This could bolster support for Hamas among Palestinians who view them as defenders of their cause. In contrast, in the West Bank where tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have escalated under Israel’s extreme-right government over recent years, instances of violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinians have been on the rise​⁵⁶. These factors contribute to an increasingly volatile environment.

4. Role of external actors in mediating or exacerbating tensions

External actors play a crucial role in either mitigating or exacerbating tensions between Israel and Hamas. Neighboring countries like Egypt have historically played a key role in mediating conflicts between the two parties​⁷. Egypt has been actively involved in brokering ceasefires and negotiating peace agreements, leveraging its close proximity to both Israel and Gaza​⁷⁸. Its efforts have helped prevent full-scale wars and contain escalations of violence​⁸.

International organizations, such as the United Nations (UN), also play a significant role in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict​⁸. The UN has consistently called for a two-state solution and has provided humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza​⁴. However, its ability to enforce resolutions or bring about lasting peace has been limited by political divisions and veto powers within the Security Council.

Global powers like the United States have historically tried to broker peace between Israel and Palestine but have faced significant challenges​⁵⁷. The US administrations since President Bill Clinton have engaged in an unsuccessful asymmetrical process that failed to create conditions for an independent Palestinian state​⁵. In recent years, there has been evolving debate within Western capitals about Israel’s actions during conflicts with Hamas, suggesting changing views within some political circles regarding this long-standing conflict​⁴.

While external actors can contribute to de-escalation efforts, their influence is ultimately limited by the complex nature of the conflict. Efforts should focus on constraining Israeli actions that exacerbate tensions while mitigating despair among Palestinians​⁷. This includes preventing evictions, demolitions, settlements expansion, excessive use of force against Palestinians, and promoting internal Palestinian political reforms including reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas​⁷.

5. Humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip resulting from prolonged conflicts with Israel is dire, with access to basic services like healthcare and education severely limited​⁹¹⁰. The ongoing closure of the Gaza Strip, recurrent escalations of hostilities, and Palestinian internal divisions have compounded the crisis​⁹. This has led to a strain on the socio-economic and cultural fabric of Palestinian society, particularly impacting healthcare systems, the economy, and employment​⁹.

In terms of healthcare, hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with mass casualties and running low on medical supplies. Access for humanitarian staff and supplies into Gaza has been cut off, further hindering aid delivery​¹⁰. The destruction of health care facilities during conflicts exacerbates the already fragile state of healthcare in the territory​¹⁰¹¹. Essential healthcare needs are high, driven by high costs, limited availability of treatment and medicine, and access problems in certain areas​⁹.

Living conditions for civilians in the Gaza Strip are extremely challenging under siege-like conditions. Unemployment rates are high, which increases dependency on aid/assistance among households​⁹. The lack of economic opportunities intensifies reliance on negative coping mechanisms. Access to safe drinking water is also a pressing issue as only a small percentage use piped water for drinking purposes​⁹.

Efforts towards reconstruction face significant challenges due to restrictions on entry and exit imposed by Israel and Egypt. Limited construction materials enter Gaza, hindering its ability to rebuild after episodes of deadly Israeli bombardments that target Hamas but often result in civilian deaths​⁵. These restrictions contribute to an ongoing chronic humanitarian crisis that affects every aspect of life for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

Despite these challenges, international organizations such as UNICEF provide vital assistance to improve access to basic services like healthcare and education. However, much more support is needed to alleviate the suffering caused by this protracted conflict.​⁹

6. War crimes allegations during recent violence

Allegations of war crimes have emerged from both Israeli forces and Palestinian militant groups during the recent escalations in violence since October 2023. The UN Commission of Inquiry has collected evidence to investigate possible violations​⁶.

In 2014, the commission presented findings of credible allegations of war crimes committed by both Israel and Palestinian armed groups during that year’s conflict​⁶. It expressed concern about the indiscriminate nature of rockets and mortars fired at Israeli civilians by Palestinian armed groups, as well as killings of suspected collaborators and a lack of accountability for violators of international law on the Palestinian side​⁶. On the other hand, it raised concerns about Israel’s use of weapons with a wide kill radius in densely populated areas​⁶.

Israeli forces have been accused of excessive force against Palestinian civilians, particularly during clashes where live fire and rubber-coated steel bullets were used​⁶. Reports also highlight human rights abuses related to actions by Israeli authorities, including abuse of detainees, demolition and confiscation of property, limitations on freedom of expression and movement for Palestinians, and violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians​³⁶.

Hamas has faced allegations as well. It unlawfully executed at least one person for alleged collaboration with Israel in Gaza Strip​⁶. Amnesty International released a report alleging that Hamas subjected individuals to summary extrajudicial executions during the 2014 conflict​⁶.

Investigating these war crimes allegations is essential to ensure accountability for human rights violations on all sides. International bodies such as the UN Commission play a critical role in collecting evidence and determining possible violations. However, achieving justice remains a challenge due to political divisions and limited enforcement powers. Efforts should be made to support independent investigations into these allegations and promote accountability for those responsible​⁷¹⁰.