In the annals of the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the most recent Israel-Hamas battle will be compared to the 1948, 1967, and 1973 wars, the 1980s and 2000s intifadas, and the 1993 Oslo Accords. All of these events were pivotal moments that continue to impact the war, but those that occurred at the end of 2023. Hamas’ terrorist activities, Israel’s response in Gaza, regional responses and flashpoints, and choices made by significant players will undoubtedly be the main turning point for the following ten or more years. In fact, the upcoming year will mark a turning point in the history of the conflict and maybe the Middle East as a whole.
Escalation and intensity of conflict
Israel and the Palestinian organization have engaged in four major wars (in 2008–09, 2012, 2014, and 2021) and several smaller-scale violent outbursts since Hamas seized complete control of Gaza in 2007. These typically followed a similar pattern: an initial incident, a missile exchange between Israel and Gaza, a cease-fire when both sides thought the benefits of continuing the conflict were waning, and then a return to the pre-conflict situation, with some subsequent coordination on Gaza reconstruction. The Israeli security system and Hamas often collaborated informally between battles, with Israel allowing money to flow to Hamas in Gaza in order to keep the region stable.
There was broad support for this strategy in the Israeli political and security domains, which called for sporadic violent conflicts with Hamas followed by reconciliation with the group. Some also saw it as a strategic interest for Israel, above and beyond the tactical need to keep things peaceful: For example, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stated at a Likud Party meeting in early 2019 that this policy prevented a two-state outcome by maintaining Palestinian division between the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas, and the West Bank, which is run by the Palestinian Authority, preserving Israeli control over the future of the West Bank and Gaza.
Regional and International diplomatic response
The strike by Hamas was not like any other Hamas-Israeli conflict. Never before had large numbers of Hamas terrorists breached the Israeli defenses around Gaza and made it possible for such a massive strike inside Israeli territory. Undoubtedly, symbolism played a role in Hamas’ calculations. Nearly 50 years had passed since the Yom Kippur War, in which Syria, Egypt, and Israel fought each other, during which Egypt ambushed Israel by attacking its outposts in the Sinai.
After suffering severe injuries in that attack, Israel was motivated to make peace with Egypt and give back part of the areas it had taken over in 1967. Similar to 1973, the incident occurred during Simchat Torah, a High Holy Day observed by Jewish Israelis, which affected the Israeli reaction. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested in the streets between January and October of last year against an attempt by the Netanyahu-led coalition in the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, to weaken judicial checks on legislative and executive authority. This was a significant number given the 9 million-person nation. Large segments of Israeli civil society, labor organizations, and military reservists were key players in the demonstrations. Government sympathizers responded by planning counter protests. Considering how long the era of social and political upheaval lasted, Hamas may have believed it could catch its opponent off guard.
Resilience of Hamas and Palestinian resistance
The west remained uninterested for seventy-five years. However, this conflict is making Israel’s supporters in the West realize the true horrors of the crimes being done in a campaign that they deemed only five months ago. Five months ago, US Senator Bernie Sanders, a socialist who criticizes Israel, declared that the war against Hamas is justifiable.
When this war ends, there will be too much to ignore, such as the level of brutality and joy displayed by Israeli soldiers as they carry out their daily killing sprees, starve Gaza and then drop Arabic-language pamphlets urging Palestinians to feed the hungry, kill 400 people who are waiting for aid, and then promise to flood Gaza with supplies. Israel has joined the exclusive group of nations shunned by the world after this conflict. Right now, it is the most hideous of all. Forgiveness is not possible. It cannot be explained, nor can it be defended. This whole Gaza campaign is a horror.
Conclusion
Two prominent war cabinet members have openly disobeyed the prime minister’s orders. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant was the first to publicly defy the government. He declared that he would only submit a new military draft law if MK Benny Gantz’s National Unity party agreed to govern the exclusion of yeshiva students from conscription. Gallant essentially granted Gantz a veto over the bill, which is necessary for the government to continue financing yeshivas whose pupils decline to serve. The Haredi parties would abandon the alliance and bring down the government in the absence of such a bill.
