The Roots of the Israeli-Hamas Conflict

 

 

The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in 2023 has multiple underlying causes, reflecting the complex and long-standing tensions in the region:

1. **Immediate Causes**: The conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a multi-pronged invasion of southern Israel, including a barrage of rockets and ground attacks on military and civilian targets. Israel responded with extensive aerial bombardment and a ground invasion of Gaza【9†source】.

2. **Blockade and Economic Hardship**: The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since Hamas's victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections. This blockade has significantly damaged Gaza's economy and is viewed by international rights groups as a form of collective punishment. However, Israel defends the blockade as necessary to prevent weapons from entering the territory【10†source】.

3. **Political Dynamics in Israel**: Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was criticized for policies that allegedly empowered Hamas in Gaza, potentially to sabotage a two-state solution and to weaken the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Critics argue that these policies have backfired, resulting in increased hostilities【11†source】.

4. **Hamas's Goals and Strategies**: Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, is driven by a long-term vision of destroying Israel. The recent attacks were not seen as a miscalculation but rather a deliberate escalation to open a more volatile chapter in their conflict with Israel【12†source】【13†source】.

5. **Escalation of Violence and Tensions**: The months leading up to the attack saw an increase in violence and tensions, including Palestinian attacks on Israelis and Israeli forces' responses, settler violence, and clashes around the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These events set the stage for the October 2023 conflict【14†source】.

6. **International Involvement and Regional Dynamics**: Iran's support for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including training and funding, has been a contributing factor. Additionally, regional dynamics, including Israeli-Arab normalization talks and strained Egypt-Hamas relations, influenced the escalation【15†source】.

7. **Broader Israeli-Palestinian Conflict**: The ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the associated humanitarian and political issues have been a backdrop to the conflict. Several human rights organizations have characterized the Israeli occupation as akin to apartheid, though this is disputed【16†source】.

8. **Warnings and Predictions of Conflict**: Prior to the attack, warnings from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Palestinian Authority officials about the potential for escalation highlighted the growing tension and despair among Palestinians, exacerbated by the blockade and lack of political progress【17†source】.

9. **Exploitation of Despair by Hamas**: The blockade of Gaza has created a sense of hopelessness among Palestinians, which Hamas has exploited to convince young Palestinian men that violence is the only viable response to their situation【18†source】.

These factors illustrate the complexity of the conflict, driven by a mix of immediate triggers, long-standing political and economic issues, regional and international influences, and deep-seated grievances on both sides.