In an extraordinary show of force, the Palestinian extremist faction, Hamas, initiated a large-scale onslaught against Israel this Saturday. The assault involved hundreds of armed operatives deeply penetrating Israeli territories near the Gaza Strip.
Tragically, no fewer than 1,300 Israelis have lost their lives in this aggressive campaign. A considerable number, comprising soldiers and civilians – notably women and children, are presently being detained in Gaza, held captive as hostages.
Equally, over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed through a range of retaliatory airstrikes administered by the Israeli military forces in Gaza. As a result, Israel has enforced a full-scale blockade on the embattled region, withholding essential commodities such as food and fuel.
Israel is also amassing troops along the border of the Gaza Strip. As a result, Palestinians are preparing themselves, with a sense of foreboding, for the possibility of a full-scale ground invasion, a development that could vastly increase the already devastating death toll.
Historically, Britain had control of the region presently known as Palestine following World War One. This land, occupied by a majority of Arabs with a minor Jewish population at the time, came under British control after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, then the ruling power in the area.
The political landscape evolved rapidly when the international community tasked the UK with the responsibility to provide a national home for the Jewish populace within Palestine, a directive endorsed by the League of Nations in 1922. This development heightened tensions between the Arab majority and the Jewish minority, who both laid claim to the contested land.
In 1948, the Jewish leaders proclaimed the emergence of Israel as a state. The next day, it was immediately besieged by five neighboring Arab nations. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were either forced to flee their homes or did so voluntarily in response to what they termed Al Nakba or the Catastrophe.
The conflict extends to the present day, with some key sticking points including the status of Palestinian refugees and whether a Palestinian state should exist alongside Israel. In recent developments, Gaza, ruled by Hamas and committed to Israel’s destruction, has seen several wars with Israel following their seizure of control from the West Bank-based Fatah movement.
International reactions vary. The US, EU, and other Western countries have rebuked Hamas’ attacks against Israel. Simultaneously, Russia and China have made no official condemnation of Hamas, and consistent with their geopolitical stance, they remain open to dialogues with both parties involved in the conflict.
In light of these events, the role of regional powers such as Iran has come under severe scrutiny. This is because Iran backs Hamas and Hezbollah, another of Israel’s regional adversaries. It is alleged that Iran permitted the recent attacks days in advance.
