Israel and hamas War

In this article, Aylah Graves discusses the ongoing war in Israel. 

Israel and Hamas war

By Aylah Graves

In the beginning of Oct. 2023, a violent war broke out in Israel. The war is between Israel and an Islamic group known as Hamas. Hamas has control over Gaza,which is a piece of territory in Palestine on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The war was launched from Gaza. This war is incredibly tense and complex and has resulted in the loss of many innocent lives.

Image by: Brookings.edu Israel and Hamas War protests 

Palestine and Israel have been engaged in war and tension for many years. Their fighting has been ongoing. There have been many events that have created the deep-rooted history of tension and conflict between these countries. The conflicts have primarily been about land and territory rights. These issues date back to the 19th century. According to the Center for Preventative Action, “The October 2023 conflict between Israel and Hamas marks the most significant escalation of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in several decades.” The attacks this year are an indicator that the conflicts are becoming more frequent and are escalating in violence.

Israel has announced that they will be launching ground, air and sea attacks against Hamas.  According to PBS, “Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in remarks broadcast Saturday. 'Last evening, the ground shook in Gaza. We attacked above ground and underground. … The instructions to the forces are clear. The campaign will continue until further notice.'" Israel is launching attacks against Hamas, which are also becoming very impactful to the lives of the civilians in Gaza. According to Vivian Yee with The New York Times, “The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza has released a list of 6,747 people it said had been killed in Israel’s relentless bombardment of the Palestinian territory in retaliation for the Hamas-led raid on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,400 people in Israel.” The Israeli attacks are becoming more powerful.


Image by: The Washington Post Palestinians at a destroyed Israeli tank in Gaza
Image by: Council of Foreign Relations Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border

With these attacks and largely growing times of violence, the concern for wider regional conflicts has come about. There are rising fears that a larger war may break out, affecting many more regions and countries. Lydia Khalil with the Lowy Institute states, “ The United States, which has undergone a process of painful military disengagement from the Middle East, sent an aircraft carrier to deter any wider conflict. It was a signal of how serious the prospect of a wider regional conflict really is.” Several countries are already feeling the weight of these conflicts more strongly due to their allegiances with the countries and because of their proximity to both Israel and Palestine. Even the United States has made official statements on where they stand. According to the U.S. Embassy, In a statement during his visit to Israel, President Biden stated, “We must keep pursuing a path so that Israel and the Palestinian people can both live safely, in security, in dignity, and in peace.. For me, that means a two-state solution. We must keep working for Israel’s greater integration with its neighbors. These attacks have only strengthened my commitment and determination and my will to get that done. I’m here to tell you that terrorists will not win. Freedom will win. So, let me end where I began. Israel, you are not alone. The United States stands with you.” This raises the question of just how wide the impact of this war will become. 

There are many uncertainties during this time of war. This war is dynamic and becoming increasingly powerful. Israel and Palestine have deep roots of violence and war that continue to entangle themselves as history progresses. Tensions are continuing to rise and many lives are being taken. This is a problem that will likely get worse before it gets better and it is important to stay informed and bring awareness on this issue.