Israel finds itself embroiled in a dire conflict with Hamas, an armed group based in the besieged Gaza Strip, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israel is “at war” and vowing that Hamas would “pay an “unprecedented price”.
The crisis began on Saturday morning with a shocking surprise attack carried out by Hamas militants, who launched a barrage of rockets and stormed into Israeli towns during a major Jewish holiday. The outcome has been a staggering loss of life and numerous abductions.
Hamas’s audacious assault had a devastating scope, with militants infiltrating as many as 22 locations outside of Gaza, some of which were situated up to 15 miles from the Gaza border. In these areas, innocent civilians and Israeli soldiers were targeted, prompting a swift response from Israel’s military.
Violent confrontations persisted well into the night, with militants holding hostages in standoffs in several towns and even occupying a police station.
The toll of this conflict has been severe. Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, reported that at least 250 people have been killed and 1,500 wounded, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Israel in decades. Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported at least 232 dead and 1,700 wounded as a result of Israeli strikes. Additionally, Hamas fighters took an unknown number of civilians and soldiers captive, transporting them into Gaza.
The escalating situation is now characterized by Israel’s determination to retaliate. Previous clashes between Israel and Hamas have caused significant destruction in Gaza and led to days of rocket fire on Israeli communities. However, the current crisis has the potential to be even more volatile, as Israel’s far-right government grapples with a security breach and Palestinians remain despondent over the ongoing occupation in the West Bank and the stifling blockade of Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, declared Israel to be at war with Hamas, pledging to utilize the full force of the military to cripple Hamas’ capabilities. Nevertheless, he cautioned that “this war will take time. It will be difficult.”
“All the places that Hamas hides in, operates from, we will turn them into ruins,” he said.
Israel’s response has been marked by intensified airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in the destruction of residential buildings, including a 14-story tower that housed both apartments and Hamas offices in central Gaza City. Israeli forces issued warnings before some of these strikes, though the toll on civilians remains high. In retaliation, Hamas launched a barrage of over 3,500 rockets into Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.
ALSO READ: Israel-Hamas War: Airlines Suspend Flights to Tel Aviv As Fighting Escalates
The audacity, sophistication, and timing of Hamas’ attack caught Israel off guard. The militants employed explosives to breach the border fence encircling Gaza, utilizing motorcycles, pickup trucks, paragliders, and speedboats along the coast. Civilians in some towns were caught in the crossfire, and harrowing scenes unfolded, including the tragic loss of life at a bus shelter and the chaos that ensued at a rave where terrified young people fled for their lives.
Tragically, among the casualties was Colonel Jonathan Steinberg, a senior officer commanding the Israeli military’s Nahal Brigade, a highly regarded infantry unit.
Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who rarely appears in public, attributed the assault to a range of grievances, including the long-standing blockade of Gaza, Israeli incursions in the West Bank, violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, settler attacks on Palestinians, and the expansion of settlements.
The attack, which occurred on Simchat Torah, a normally joyous Jewish holiday, revived painful memories of the 1973 Middle East war. This historical parallel has intensified criticism of Netanyahu’s government, which had promised a more aggressive stance against Gaza threats. Questions have arisen about how Hamas managed to catch the Israeli army off guard.
The abduction of Israeli civilians and soldiers has further complicated matters. Israel has a history of making lopsided exchanges to secure the release of captive Israelis. Currently, Israel is holding thousands of Palestinians in its prisons, and Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht, an Israeli army spokesperson, confirmed that a substantial number of Israelis were abducted during the Hamas assault.
As the conflict escalates, Israel is contemplating the possibility of launching a ground assault into Gaza, a move that has historically resulted in increased casualties. Israel’s military is mobilizing troops and tanks along the Gaza border, with an additional four divisions joining the 31 battalions already in the area.
Moreover, Israel has severed crucial supplies to Gaza, including electricity, fuel, and goods. This has plunged much of the population into darkness after nightfall, as Israel supplies nearly all of Gaza’s power. The situation is dire, and the international community is closely watching developments.
Hamas has stated its readiness for a prolonged conflict, indicating its preparedness for various scenarios, including an all-out war. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden affirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself, Saudi Arabia called for restraint on both sides, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group congratulated Hamas on its actions.
This conflict comes at a time when Israel is grappling with internal divisions over Prime Minister Netanyahu’s proposed judiciary overhaul, which has triggered mass protests and military reservists avoiding volunteer duty, raising concerns about the military’s readiness.
Additionally, tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have been escalating, with the peace process effectively stalled for years. Israel’s far-right government has accelerated settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, leading to increased settler violence and heightened tensions around sensitive Jerusalem holy sites. Palestinians have protested in various West Bank towns and cities, resulting in casualties.
The situation is rapidly evolving, with the potential for further escalation and a profound impact on the region’s stability. International efforts to defuse the crisis remain crucial.