The Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza remains one of the world’s most polarizing and devastating disputes. For decades, violence has erupted periodically, leaving countless lives shattered and entire communities uprooted. What drives this conflict, and why does it persist? From historical roots to personal stories of survival, this article goes deep into one of the world’s most enduring and tragic conflicts.
We have also fully covered the feature on Russia-Ukraine war, where we explain why there is a conflict and have explored in detailed about the details of the war.
The historical roots of the conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict is a century-old struggle over land, identity, and sovereignty. Its origins lie in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the rise of nationalist movements among Jews and Arabs. Jewish communities fleeing persecution in Europe sought to establish a homeland in Palestine, which at the time was part of the Ottoman Empire and later came under British rule after World War I. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, in which Britain supported the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, intensified tensions between Jewish and Arab populations.
After World War II, the Holocaust accelerated the push for a Jewish state, culminating in the 1947 United Nations partition plan that proposed separate Jewish and Arab states. While Jewish leaders accepted the plan, Arab leaders rejected it, leading to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the creation of Israel. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced, an event they refer to as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.”
In the decades that followed, tensions escalated, with Israel occupying Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem after the Six-Day War in 1967. The Gaza Strip, a small coastal enclave, became a focal point of the conflict, home to a majority Palestinian population living under severe restrictions. The rise of Hamas, an Islamist militant group, in the 1980s further entrenched divisions, as the group sought to resist Israeli occupation through armed struggle.
Today, the conflict in Gaza is fueled by territorial disputes, ideological clashes, and repeated cycles of violence. Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian rocket attacks have become grim hallmarks of this ongoing war, with civilians bearing the brunt of the devastation.
Hamas and Hezbollah’s role in the Gaza conflict
Hamas, an Islamist political and militant organization, has been a central actor in the Gaza conflict. Established in 1987 during the First Intifada, Hamas is committed to resisting Israeli occupation and establishing an Islamic state in historical Palestine. It gained political prominence in 2006 after winning legislative elections in the Palestinian territories, subsequently taking control of Gaza in a violent split from the rival Fatah faction. Since then, Hamas has governed Gaza, operating as both a political authority and a military force.
In the current conflict, Hamas plays a dual role: administering Gaza and directing military operations. Its use of rocket attacks against Israeli cities, as well as its reliance on tunnels and guerrilla tactics, has drawn significant attention. Israel considers Hamas a terrorist organization, as do the United States, the European Union, and others, citing its attacks on civilians and refusal to renounce violence. Hamas argues that its actions are a form of resistance to Israeli occupation and the ongoing blockade of Gaza.
Hamas has also been accused of using civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, to shield its operations, a claim it denies but one that adds to the suffering of the civilian population. The group’s military actions and governance of Gaza remain a focal point of Israeli airstrikes and international criticism, contributing to the enduring cycle of violence in the region.
While Hezbollah is based in Lebanon, its influence extends into the dynamics of the Gaza conflict. The group, a Shiite Islamist militant and political organization backed by Iran, has historically aligned itself with Hamas, sharing a common opposition to Israel. Although Hezbollah’s primary focus has been on Lebanon’s border with Israel, it has expressed solidarity with Palestinians and provided material and logistical support to Hamas.
In the context of the current Gaza conflict, Hezbollah’s involvement has raised concerns about the potential for a broader regional escalation. Hezbollah has occasionally launched attacks on Israel’s northern border, including rocket and missile fire, often timed to coincide with heightened tensions in Gaza. These actions are viewed by analysts as a strategy to stretch Israeli military resources and signal solidarity with Hamas.
The group’s extensive military capabilities, including advanced missiles and drones, pose a significant threat to Israel. Any escalation involving Hezbollah could dramatically shift the conflict’s scope, drawing in other regional players such as Iran and Syria. While Hezbollah has not fully engaged in the Gaza conflict, its role as an ally of Hamas underscores the interconnected nature of Middle Eastern conflicts and the broader geopolitical stakes involved.
The ties between Hamas and Hezbollah highlight the regional dimensions of the Gaza conflict, where local disputes intersect with global power dynamics, amplifying both the violence and its consequences.
Global alliances: Friends, foes, and neutral stances
The Israel-Palestine conflict has long drawn international attention, with nations and groups aligning based on political, religious, and strategic interests.
Israel enjoys strong backing from the United States, which provides billions of dollars in military aid annually. This support is driven by shared democratic values, a strong pro-Israel lobby in the U.S., and strategic interests in the Middle East. Many European nations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, also align with Israel, although they occasionally criticize its actions in Gaza.
Palestine receives widespread support from Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Nations like Iran, Turkey, and Qatar are vocal in their condemnation of Israeli policies and provide financial and humanitarian aid to Gaza. The broader Arab world, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, has historically supported Palestinian aspirations, although recent normalization agreements between Israel and some Arab states have complicated these dynamics.
Non-aligned nations, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, often express sympathy for Palestinians but avoid taking definitive sides. Countries like India and China maintain diplomatic relations with Israel while voicing support for a two-state solution.
Sanctions and global responses
Israel’s military actions in Gaza have drawn sharp criticism, with many nations and organizations calling for sanctions. Some countries have implemented measures such as arms embargoes and restrictions on products from Israeli settlements. For example, the European Union has prohibited the import of goods from Israeli-occupied territories unless explicitly labeled as such. However, widespread, enforceable sanctions on Israel remain limited due to its strong global alliances, particularly with the U.S.
Human rights organizations have called for broader sanctions, accusing Israel of violating international law through its settlement expansions, blockade of Gaza, and military actions. Critics argue that the lack of robust sanctions enables Israel to act with impunity, while proponents of Israel’s stance claim that such measures would undermine its right to self-defense.
Analysts are divided on the efficacy of sanctions. Some argue that targeting Israeli industries and military exports could pressure its government to pursue peace negotiations. Others contend that sanctions may backfire, hardening Israel’s resolve and increasing domestic support for its policies.
The current state of the conflict
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with recurring escalations of violence causing immense destruction. Recent clashes have seen Israeli airstrikes targeting what it claims are Hamas military facilities, while rockets fired from Gaza have struck Israeli cities. The asymmetry of power between the two sides is evident, with Israel’s advanced military capabilities overwhelming Gaza’s largely improvised defenses.
Civilians are caught in the crossfire. In Gaza, the Israeli blockade has created severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, Israeli communities near Gaza live under constant threat of rocket fire, leading to widespread trauma and displacement.
Efforts to broker ceasefires have been short-lived, with both sides accusing the other of violating agreements. The international community continues to call for de-escalation, but a lasting resolution remains elusive.
The Human Toll of War
The human cost of the conflict is devastating. In Gaza, thousands of Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes, many of them women and children. Entire families have been wiped out, and critical infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, lies in ruins. The United Nations estimates that over 1.8 million people in Gaza live in conditions of extreme hardship, with 80% reliant on international aid.
On the Israeli side, hundreds of civilians have lost their lives to rocket attacks and militant incursions. The psychological toll on residents, particularly children, is immense, as they live under the constant threat of violence.
The death toll continues to climb on both sides, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.
What we think about this situation
The Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza is a stark reminder of the complexities of war and the profound impact it has on ordinary lives. While the international community continues to advocate for a two-state solution, the reality on the ground remains deeply entrenched in violence, mistrust, and political inertia.
As the conflict rages on, the resilience of those living through it provides a powerful testament to the human spirit. Stories of survival, loss, and hope serve as a poignant reminder that behind the headlines are real people yearning for peace. The question remains: will the world rise to meet the challenge of resolving one of its most enduring conflicts, or will future generations inherit this cycle of violence?
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