The crisis between Israel and Hamas is one of the oldest and most well-known modern-day international political, territorial and socio-cultural conflict with some of its roots tracing back to World War I. This work seeks to give an overview of the recent hostilities launched by Hamas against Israel by outlining historical factors, major players, and social conditions that led to exacerbation of the conflict.
Brief Discussion concerning the Israel and Palestine Issue:
Origins of the Conflict:
The root of conflict between Israel and Palestine goes back to the middle of the nineteenth century to the early twentieth century with the movement of Jewish people to Palestinians territories that was then a part of the Ottoman empire. Due to this, the number of Jewish populace continued to rise thereby causing tension between the Jews and the natives, the Arabs.
Trezzi seeks to cover them in his article namely the UN Partition Plan and the 1948 war.
The Alternate history After the World War II and the holocaust, the United Nations had laid down a plan in the year 1947 to partition Palestine into two state states- The Jewish State and the Arab state. While, the Jewish community accepted the plan, the Arab states opposed it and this fostered the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The war led to emergence of the State of Israel and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians which is considered as the ‘Nakbah’, the catastrophe. This event created seeds of satisfied and resentful hostility that persisted up to this period of time.
For the creation of Israel and Its aftermath:
For centuries the Jewish people anticipated the establishment of their own nation-state; thus establishing the state of Israel in 1948 was a major turning point in Jewish history. nonetheless, for the Palestinians it was the start of a long process of displacement, the losing of territory and becoming stateless. Israel became a state after the war that ensued right after its proclamation of independence and it ended up with more land than was allocated by the UN to the Palestinian state under the partition plan and this led to exodus of Palestinians who are refugees up to date.
The Emergence of Hamas
Formation and Ideology:
The Islamic Resistance Movement or just Hamas was formed in the year 1987 during the First Palestinian uprising or Intifada. Originating from the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas tied for a considerable political and military organisation in the Palestinian territories.
Hamas is inspired by Islamic nationalism as well as focuses on the liberation of Palestine through the use of force as well as humanitarian services. It is considered a terrorist group by most of the Western countries like the United States and the European Union, nevertheless, many Palestinians look at Hamas as they would at the popular liberation movement against the occupation of Israel.
Political Rise in Gaza:
After victory in the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, Hamas received political authority in the Gaza Strip by snatching victory from the Fatah party. He added this victory paved way to violent confrontation between Hamas and Fatah, which later forced Hamas to take over the control of Gaza in 2007. After that, Hamas took the control of Gaza while West Bank continued to be under the rule of the Palestinian authority where Fatah rules.
Key Issues and Grievances:
There are three classifications of Occupation and Israeli Settlements, namely the first generation, second generation and third generation Occupations and Israeli Settlements.
One of the main contested issues in the conflict between Israel and Palestine is the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and specially the West Bank and the Gaza strip. The growth of Israeli colonies in the territories, occupation of the West Bank most of which is inhabited by Palestinians is against the international laws. The latter sees these settlements as a direct act of emasculation of the Palestinian desire for statehood.
The Blockade of Gaza:
After Hamas assumed the control on the Gaza strip in 2007 the Israel alongside with Egypt closed all thedoors on the Gaza strip. This has hindered the free movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza thus resulting to blocking of necessary supplies to the area hence a humanitarian crises. There is high unemployment, few health facilities, poor infrastructure that has worsened the suffering of the people in Gaza and leads to hatred against Israel due to its blockade.
The Emergence of Hamas:
Hamas is an Islamic Resistance Movement which was established in the year 1987 during the Palestinian uprising or Intifada. Evolved from the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas was one of the most effective political and military organisations in the Palestinian territories.
Hamas is motivated like any Islamic nationalist movement and also concentrates in the liberation of Palestine with the aid of force as well as humanitarian aid. The group is on a terrorist list in most of the western countries including the United States and the complete European Union as a result, many Palestinians view Hamas in the same way that people of hollywood view some popular war against the occupation of Israel.
Political Rise in Gaza:
Power was delegated to Hamas in the Gaza Strip after they won the Palestinian legislative elections in the year 2006 by overthrowing Fatah party. He added this victory paved way to violent confrontation between Hamas and Fatah, which later led to the takeover of the control of Gaza by Hamas in 2007. As for that, Hamas seized control over Gaza which left West Bank under the control of Palestinian authority where Fatah reigns.
Key Issues and Grievances:
Occupation and Israeli Settlements is divided into three generations of Occupation & Israeli Settlements, the First Generation, the Second Generation and Third Generation Occupation & Israeli Settlements.
The major point of debate between Israel and Palestine is the occupation of the latter by the former particularly in the West Bank and Gaza strip. The growth of Israeli colonies within the territories, occupation of the west bank, most of which is home to Palestinians is unlawful per the international laws. The latter views these settlements as a naked aggression towards dwarfing the Palestinian aspiration to be a nation and to have a state to itself.
Clashes at Al-Aqsa Mosque:
It got worst especially when Israeli security forces stormed into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound especially during the holy Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The mosque itself is considered one of the most important Islamic shrines, and the actions of Israeli police inside the territory of this shrine were regarded as a very gross violation. It escalated tension each time Palestinian worshippers engaged in fights with Israeli forces; this led to the occurrence of unrest in Jerusalem as well as other areas.
Hamas rocket attacks and their counter-attack: Israel
Due to the incidents that took place in the Sheikh Jarrah and Al Aqsa areas, Hamas unleashed a volley of rockets into Israel. This led to a forceful counterattack by the IDF followed by 4 days of heavy fighting thus causing a number of losses from both sides. The trend of firing rockets and carrying out airstrikes led to reciprocation of attacks and the devastating effects on the innocent civilians were unpreceded.
Conclusion: Justification of the Steps Leading to the Enduring Justice
The status of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is complicated and the conflict between Israel and Hamas is one of its aspects. Only when one is willing to recognize the rights of the Israelis as well as historical suffering of the Palestinian people, one can speak of a stable peace. This means that the international community has the responsibility to act in a diplomatic manner and ensure that it helps in the conflicting parties to have dialogue on the issue and find a middle ground for a sustainable solution.
It is important that this solution must respect the rights, personhood and security of all persons involved in hopes of the establishing a new horizon for the Israelis and Palestinians: that of living side by side in amity.