In September 2021, the world was shocked by a series of unprecedented attacks launched by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas against Israel. The attacks, which included firing thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and infiltrating operatives across the border, marked the most serious incursion against Israel in decades.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasted no time in declaring that Israel was at war.[0] In a national address, he vowed to respond with a magnitude of force that the enemy had never known. Israel swiftly launched a massive wave of retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza and called up military reservists.[1]
The magnitude of the Hamas attack caught Israel off guard, both tactically and strategically.[2] The ability of Hamas to infiltrate fighters across the border and conduct a large-scale operation under Israel's nose was a major intelligence failure.[3] Despite Israel's sophisticated surveillance technology, it was unable to detect and prevent the attack.[3] This intelligence failure has raised questions about Israel's preparedness and defense capabilities.[4]
The attack also occurred almost exactly 50 years after the surprise attack that ignited the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, which was considered one of the biggest intelligence failures in Israel's history. The timing of the attack only compounded the embarrassment for Israel.
Hamas's meticulously planned and well-executed lightning incursion into Israel involved attacks by air, sea, and land.[3] In addition to firing rockets towards Israeli targets, hundreds of Palestinian fighters launched attacks on Israeli military and civilian areas in southern Israel. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 100 Israelis and the capture of dozens of Israeli soldiers and civilians as hostages.[3]
Overnight, Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented invasion across Israel's southern border with Gaza, storming Israeli towns and killing soldiers and civilians. Thousands of rockets were fired into Israeli territory, and the attacks resulted in the highest number of civilian deaths on a single day in Israel's history.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated further when Hamas operatives began an intense bombardment of rockets from the Gaza envelope all the way to areas around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.[5] The attacks caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
The international community was quick to condemn the attacks by Hamas.[6] US President Joe Biden called the attacks “appalling” and pledged unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself.[7] Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the US would ensure Israel has what it needs to protect itself from violence and terrorism.[8]
The situation in Israel and Gaza remains tense, with both sides vowing to continue the fight.[9] Israel is under pressure to root out Hamas from Gaza, but this task is challenging given the group's deep economic, religious, and social base in the territory.[2] Israel will likely aim to show successes in its response to the attacks, such as the deaths or arrests of senior Hamas leaders, to demonstrate that it is striking back.[2]
The conflict between Israel and Hamas highlights the deep-rooted tensions and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both sides have ideological inclinations towards violence and conflict rather than peace and cooperation.[9] The situation also underscores the need for a radical political change to find a long-term solution.[10]
As the conflict continues, it is essential for the international community to support efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further loss of life. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has far-reaching consequences and requires a comprehensive and sustainable solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.[11]
0. “In pictures: The war in Israel and Gaza : The Picture Show” NPR, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2023/10/07/1204468284/photos-war-in-israel-gaza
1. “Israel ‘At War' After Stunning Attack by Hamas: What We Know” New York Magazine, 7 Oct. 2023, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/10/israel-at-war-after-stunning-attack-by-hamas-what-we-know.html
2. “Hamas-Israel Attack: What's Happening and Why” Foreign Policy, 7 Oct. 2023, https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/10/07/hamas-attack-israel-declares-war-gaza-why-explained/
3. “From hubris to humiliation: The 10 hours that shocked Israel” Al Jazeera English, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/10/7/from-hubris-to-humiliation-the-10-hours-that-shocked-israel
4. “A Devastating Attack by Hamas” The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/10/hamas-israel-gaza-attacks-intelligence/675578/
5. “ALL ISRAEL NEWS Editor-in-Chief Joel Rosenberg interviewed by WABC Radio about Hamas' surprise attack against …” All Israel News, 7 Oct. 2023, https://allisrael.com/all-israel-news-editor-in-chief-joel-rosenberg-interviewed-by-wabc-radio-about-hamas-surprise-attack-against-israel
6. “Ayman: Hamas’ ‘extremely sophisticated' attack shows the limits of Israel’s ‘usual deterrent’” MSNBC, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/ayman-hamas-extremely-sophisticated-attack-shows-the-limits-of-israel-s-usual-deterrent-194648133857
7. “Biden Says Israel Under Terrorist Attack, Pledges US Support” Bloomberg, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-07/biden-condemns-surprise-israel-attacks-offers-full-us-support
8. “Statement From Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Attacks Against Israel” Department of Defense, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3551580/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-the-attacks-against-i/
9. “Why did Hamas invade Israel?” Vox.com, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907323/israel-war-hamas-attack-explained-southern-israel-gaza
10. “Statement from President Joe Biden Condemning Terrorist Attacks in Israel” US Embassy in Israel, 7 Oct. 2023, https://il.usembassy.gov/statement-from-president-joe-biden-condemning-terrorist-attacks-in-israel/
11. “Ukraine's support of Israel amid tensions with Palestine raises concerns of West's ‘hypocrisy'” UPI News, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/10/07/ukraine-support-israel-tensions-palestine-concerns-west-hypocrisy/5171696722190/
