Israel’s Long Campaign in Gaza: The Conflict in a Nutshell
Decades worth of heightened tensions in Gaza and incessant acts of cross-border terrorism conducted by its ruling regime brought Israel to the forefront of a full-fledged operation in the strip, immediately after a massive attack on Israeli settlements near the Gaza border. October 7th, 2023, marked the biggest massacre of the jewish people, ever since the Holocaust. It was a brutal series of terrorist attacks, killing about 1200 Israeli citizens, along the Gaza border, when Hamas terrorists under the cover of a barrage of rocket fire infiltrated several Israeli towns, cities, and IDF bases.
The massacre kicked off Operation Swords of Iron, the code name for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli operation, following 9 months of tireless and persistent efforts and fatal strikes, has led to innumerous casualties and serious repercussions, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A report published by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, claimed that 31,184 Gazans have been killed since October 7, and some 72,899 are injured and require immediate medical support.
What is Hamas?
Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamiya, popularly known by the acronym “Hamas”, is a Sunni Islamist militant group which governs over the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, for its inhumane conducts including suicide bombings and missile strikes, Hamas has been designated as a Terrorist Organisation by Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Paraguay, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, thus far.
Who backs Hamas?
It is believed by the International Community at large that Hamas is directly backed, militarily and financially, by the Quds force of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the primary branch of Iran’s armed forces. Many a time, have Hamas leaders openly expressed their gratitude towards Iran, for not only being one of few countries to recognise them, but also for financial aid and provision of “weaponry” and other assets.
Apart from Iran, countries like Qatar and Egypt have also recognised Hamas on the international podium. Moreover, the group has established a significant presence in the capital cities of Cairo and Doha, conducting various international operations from these centres. Qatar, in particular, has served as a Haven for Chief Hamas leaders like Ismail Haniyeh, who has been found guilty of war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
A Brief Account of Hamas’ government
In 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections by campaigning clean and corruption-free, combined with affirmation of Palestinians' right to armed struggle against the Israeli occupation, thus winning a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council. However, in 2007 it took complete control of the Gaza strip from its rival faction Fatah (governing body of the West Bank).
Nevertheless, the present day Palestinian National Council or PNC (the United Nations’ recognised parliament of Palestine), is the nominal Legislative Assembly of Palestine. It’s merely a legislative body existing in name’s sake, and has been absolutely ineffective thus far. One of the principal reasons for the body’s failure, is its inability to include Hamas’ representation, which puts up questions to its purpose of ‘uniting palestinian territories’.
History of Israel and Hamas
Ever since its assumption of power in Gaza, the totalitarian regime has been responsible for carrying out numerous cross-border terror operations in Gaza, ranging from suicide bombings to missile strikes and abduction of hostages. According to a report published by the Jerusalem Post, 130 hostages are still under Hamas’ captivity, and yet to be returned.
Immediate Cause of the Gaza crisis
Dozens of Israeli military officials stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the last day of Rosh Hashanah in 2023, under the protection of occupation forces, the latter assaulting Palestinian worshippers. In reaction to this, Hamas retaliated on October 7, by firing about 3,000 rockets aimed at Israel and vehicle-transported and powered paraglider incursions into Israel, killing about 1200 Israeli cituzens. They took about 251 hostages and Israeli security force personnel and took them to Gaza. As of July 1, 116 remained in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 42 who had been killed, according to AFP. Bodies of another 35 who were killed were returned to Israel.
This marked the beginning of the current crisis in Gaza after Israel launched its operation code-named ‘Swords of Iron’. In the initial stages of its operation, the Israeli military took control of Northern Gaza and forced its local civilian population to move southwards of the strip. Furthermore, The Israeli military claims to have killed around 16,000 Hamas fighters till date. Though Hamas has been wiped out to a great extent, it still has a significantly major presence in the territory and continues to run its operations under the shadows.
The current map of Gaza looks somewhat like this —
