Hamas fired thousands of rockets and sent scores of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip on Saturday.
Social media is awash with photos of dead Israeli civilians and soldiers following the surprise attack, which prompted Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that his country is at war and will exact an “unprecedented price” on its enemies.
Today’s incident is the latest escalation of an ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over the status of Palestine and the right of Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination.
The conflict dates back to the late 19th century, when the Zionist movement began to advocate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
The conflict has escalated over the years, with numerous wars, terrorist attacks, and civilian casualties.
Here are 10 important facts about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
- The conflict is rooted in the competing claims of Israelis and Palestinians to the land of Palestine. Israelis claim the land as their ancestral homeland, while Palestinians claim it as the land of their birth and heritage.
- The conflict has been marked by numerous wars and terrorist attacks. Before today’s escalation, the most recent war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, took place in May 2021.
- The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. According to the United Nations, over 13,000 Palestinians and over 2,000 Israelis have been killed in the conflict since 2000.
- The conflict has also led to a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, where over 2 million people are living under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. The blockade has restricted the movement of people and goods into and out of the Gaza Strip, and has caused widespread poverty and unemployment.
- The conflict has had a devastating impact on the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and many families have been torn apart. The conflict has also had a negative impact on the economies of both Israel and Palestine.
Here are 5 additional facts about the conflict:
- The international community has been unable to resolve the conflict. There have been numerous peace initiatives over the years, but none have been successful.
- The two sides are deeply divided on the core issues of the conflict, including the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the borders of a future Palestinian state.
- The conflict has had a polarizing effect on the international community. Some countries support Israel, while others support Palestine.
- The conflict has been used to justify terrorism and violence by both sides.
- The conflict has had a negative impact on the region as a whole, and has made it difficult to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex and difficult issue. There is no easy solution, and it is likely to continue for many years to come.