Mariam A.
A view of destroyed buildings and debris at the al-Rimal neighborhood after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza Strip on October 10, 2023. Photo by Mohammed Zaanoun. Used with permission The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply complex and long-standing issue, marked by a history of violence, casualties, and widespread displacement, predominantly affecting the Palestinian people, who are the indigenous inhabitants of what was historically known as Palestine. This historical country ceased to exist as a distinct entity on the map after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing developments in this deeply entrenched conflict, it is crucial to delve into the broader historical context while also considering the contemporary factors that have played a significant role in shaping recent events. On October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), a militant group in the Gaza Strip, breached the long-standing barrier that surrounds the Gaza Strip, an area subjected to a crushing blockade for over 16 years. Following the breach, Hamas launched a surprise attack on nearby Israeli towns. In response, Israel initiated a large-scale aerial attack on the Gaza Strip. The human toll of this conflict has been immense, with over 3,000 lives lost on both sides and more than 10,000 people injured. In addition to the tragic loss of life and the staggering number of injuries, the conflict has also resulted in widespread displacement and a profound disruption of daily life. On October 8, 2023, the Israeli cabinet issued an official declaration of war against Hamas, but its effects are felt by the entire population of Gaza. One day later, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, stating that “there will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed.” The siege, widely viewed as a collective punishment, halts the supply of vital life resources, endangering the lives of more than 2.5 million people trapped within the strip. According to media outlet Jewish Currents: “On October 9, using dehumanizing language that international law experts have identified as genocidal, Gallant said, ‘We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.'” Gaza, an enclave on the eastern Mediterranean coast, is bordered by Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the east and north. Since 2007, with the support of Egypt, Israel has imposed a continuous land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza. Human rights organizations often refer to it as “the largest prison on earth.” This blockade inflicts collective punishment on the 2.3 million Palestinians living in that enclave. Israel exercises control over crucial aspects of life in Gaza, including the movement of food, water, medical supplies, as well as people through land crossings connecting Gaza to the outside world. Over the years, Israel has consistently bombed the strip, showing little regard for the lives of civilians, who are trapped there with nowhere to go. Human Rights Watch has reported that “this closure has devastated the economy in Gaza, contributed to the fragmentation of the Palestinian people, and forms part of Israeli authorities’ crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution against millions of Palestinians.” This infographic is by visualizing Palestine. It is published under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED. Fair use. Moreover, Israel has played a pivotal role in imposing a siege, displacing, killing, and imprisoning Palestinians by supporting the ongoing aggression of settlers and the military. This is coupled with discriminatory laws and actions, forming an apartheid system that directly affects Palestinians. Hamas named the operation “Al-Aqsa Storm,” referring to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site. According to the Associated Press, Hamas cited several motivations for the attack, including Israel’s 16-year blockade of Gaza, incidents of violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israeli raids in the West Bank, escalating settler assaults against Palestinians, and the expansion of settlements. In an editorial in Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Israeli journalist Gideon Levy placed the majority of the responsibility for the situation on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, he also acknowledged that this situation “didn’t start with him and it won’t end after he goes.” Levy pointed out that the unfolding events are the devastating consequences of Israel’s actions and decades-long discriminatory policies against the Palestinians.