Early Saturday morning, a sudden and unprecedented attack by Hamas rattled Israel on multiple fronts. The peaceful slumber of millions of Israelis residing in the country’s southern regions was shattered by the deafening roar of incoming rockets, followed by the ominous thuds of their impact. Air raid sirens, usually a rare occurrence, blared as far north as Tel Aviv, shaking residents from their beds.
Armed militants broke through and destroyed sections of Israel’s heavily constructed border fence, shockingly intensifying hostilities. They bravely invaded Israeli settlements along the Gaza border, terrorizing the locals as they engaged in violent fights with Israeli soldiers.
A terrible death toll on both sides of the conflict was reported by Israeli media, citing authorities from the rescue services. On the Israeli side, at least 600 individuals tragically lost their lives and another 1,500 were injured. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 400 Palestinians have died and more than 1,700 have been injured as a result of Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas
Hamas, a militant movement and one of the two major political parties in the Palestinian territories, came to power in the Gaza Strip following its electoral victory in 2006. Since then, this densely populated, 362-square-kilometer strip of land, home to more than 2 million people, has been subjected to a comprehensive Israeli-led blockade. This blockade has effectively prevented the free flow of people and goods, trapping Gaza’s residents in a dire humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an alarming announcement on Sunday, declaring his nation officially at war. He vehemently pledged to exact an “unprecedented price” from Hamas militants and issued a call for a mass mobilization of army reserves.
Israeli airstrikes relentlessly pounded Gaza on Sunday, targeting housing blocks, underground tunnels, a mosque, and the homes of Hamas officials. The tragic outcome has seen over 370 lives lost, including the lives of 20 children. Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the devastation by vowing “mighty vengeance for this black day,” as reported by the Reuters news agency.
Simultaneously, Israel faced coordinated attacks from the north by the militant group Hezbollah. The group claimed responsibility on Sunday for launching guided rockets and artillery strikes at three posts in Shebaa Farms, an area of Israel’s occupied Golan Heights since 1967. These attacks unfolded just a few kilometers from the Lebanese border, signifying Hezbollah’s show of “solidarity” with the Palestinian people.
Hezbollah
Hezbollah is a Shiite Muslim political party and militant organization based in Lebanon. Over the years, it has developed a reputation for being “a state within a state” due to its extensive security apparatus, political structure, and a wide-reaching network of social services. The group emerged during the tumultuous period of the fifteen-year Lebanese Civil War. It is worth noting that Hezbollah enjoys the backing of Iran and is driven by a staunch opposition to Israel and a resistance to Western influence in the Middle East.
Hezbollah has a complex history, marked by global acts of terrorism. Consequently, various countries, including the United States, have designated parts of Hezbollah, and in some instances, the entire organization, as a terrorist group. This designation stems from its involvement in numerous acts of violence and terror around the world.
In recent years, Hezbollah’s deep-seated alliances with Iran and Syria have significantly impacted its trajectory. The group has become embroiled in the Syrian civil war, primarily due to its steadfast support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This involvement has transformed Hezbollah into a potent military force, further complicating the dynamics of the Syrian conflict.
Why Did The Attack Take Israel By Surprise?
The attack carried out by Hamas took many by surprise, not just in Israel but across the globe. This unexpected move has left governments, experts, and citizens wondering how such a well-coordinated operation managed to evade detection by Israeli intelligence.
One of the most pressing questions in the aftermath of the attack is why Israeli intelligence failed to detect the imminent threat. The sheer scale and precision of the assault have raised eyebrows, leaving both Israeli citizens and international observers puzzled.
Many expected a robust response from the Israeli government, given its history of taking a hard-line stance against threats from militant groups like Hamas. Supporters of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government were particularly eager to see a strong reaction to this unprecedented attack. However, the government’s response has been met with criticism and disappointment.
The failure to detect and prevent the attack has not only shaken Israel’s security apparatus but also placed immense pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ultranationalist government. Political analysts are quick to lambast Netanyahu for the intelligence lapse, and as the casualty count rises, the situation becomes increasingly precarious.
What Prompted The Attack?
While the precise motivations behind the attack may not be entirely clear, several factors have contributed to the volatile situation.
Mounting Tensions in the West Bank
Mounting Tensions in the West Bank
For months, tensions had been simmering between Israeli soldiers, settlers, and Palestinians in the West Bank. The region had witnessed a series of violent clashes, with armed settlers targeting Palestinian villages and militants in the West Bank launching attacks on soldiers and settlers. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had conducted repeated raids on Palestinian cities, exacerbating the already fraught situation.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque Dispute
One key trigger for the attack lies in the long-standing dispute over the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site of profound religious significance to both Muslims and Jews. Known as Haram al-Sharif to Muslims, it is the third holiest place in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. To Jews, it is called Temple Mount and is venerated as the site of the biblical Jewish temple. While Jews are not allowed to pray within the confines of the Al-Aqsa compound, recent instances of Jewish prayer there have sparked outrage. Hamas has dubbed its current offensive “Operation al-Aqsa Deluge,” signaling the importance of this religious site in the conflict.
This dispute over Al-Aqsa Mosque has ignited violence in the past, most notably culminating in an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2021. The latest attack reflects the lingering tensions surrounding this religious site.
The Gaza Blockade
The Gaza Blockade
The backdrop to this conflict includes the enduring 16-year blockade of Gaza by Israel and Egypt. This blockade has had devastating consequences for Gaza’s internal economy and has inflicted severe hardships on its inhabitants. The blockade has exacerbated the sense of despair and hopelessness among the Palestinian population.
Political Complexities and Regional Dynamics
Political Complexities and Regional Dynamics
Israel’s rightwing coalition government has seen calls from extreme religious nationalists for the annexation of Palestinian territory. This has further strained relations between Israelis and Palestinians and contributed to the volatile situation.
There is also speculation that external factors, such as Iran’s interests, may have played a role in encouraging the offensive. Some experts believe that Iran could be using this conflict to thwart efforts by Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
How Did Hamas Manage To Launch The Attack?
Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their fighters managed to capture several Israeli individuals within the enclave. Shocking videos surfaced, showing militants dragging bloodied soldiers across the ground and standing over deceased bodies, some of whom were stripped to their underwear.
Hamas took their attack to the skies by sending paragliders into Israel, a development confirmed by the Israeli military.
Hamas initiated their attack by firing thousands of rockets on a Saturday morning, targeting locations as far away as Tel Aviv and the outskirts of Jerusalem. This was an extraordinary feat, considering Israel’s highly sophisticated Iron Dome missile defense system that rarely allows direct hits in these areas.
Approximately an hour after the initial rocket attacks, Hamas militants embarked on a daring cross-border mission into Israel, utilizing land, sea, and air routes, as reported by the Israeli military. This marked one of the first major conflicts between Israeli and Arab forces on Israeli soil in decades.
The militants infiltrated a total of 22 Israeli towns and army bases, taking both civilians and soldiers hostage. Many of these captives were then transported back to Gaza. Tragically, as of Sunday, officials had already reported at least 700 Israeli casualties.
Israel’s Response
In response to Hamas’ attack, Israel took several immediate actions. They called up army reservists and launched a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, a densely populated territory that is home to approximately 2.3 million people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Palestinians in Gaza, urging them to evacuate the area as he pledged to target and reduce Hamas hideouts to “rubble.” Unfortunately, due to the blockade that has been in place for years, residents of Gaza have very limited options for escaping the violence.
Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on various targets within Gaza, including the Palestine Tower, an 11-storey building that houses Hamas radio stations. These airstrikes caused significant damage to infrastructure and heightened tensions in the region.
Israel has hinted at the possibility of a ground invasion, a move that carries immense risks not only for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops but also for Israeli hostages held within the territory.
The situation in Gaza has rapidly deteriorated. Israel’s decision to cut off electricity and fuel supplies to the territory has placed even greater strain on an already overwhelmed medical infrastructure. Hospitals in Gaza are grappling with an influx of patients injured in the bombardment, making it increasingly difficult to provide adequate care.
Palestinians in Gaza have received text messages from the Israeli military, urging them to leave their homes before airstrikes. While these messages are intended to minimize civilian casualties, the reality is that many residents have nowhere to go, given the dire circumstances in the territory.