On October 7th, 2023 more than 2,200 rockets landed upon parts of southern and central Israel. Within about 8 hours, around 1,100 civilians and 300 soldiers were killed by these surprise strikes. The militant organization, Hamas, who took responsibility for the attack, is located in the Gaza Strip, one of the two Palestinian territories. In retaliation to these barrages, Israel fighter jets struck Gaza City, leaving 400 Palestinians dead. Shortly after, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on the Hamas terrorist organization.
Since 2007, Israel has been implementing a strict land and water blockade, causing economic stress on Gaza, leaving more than 80% of the population in poverty according to the United Nations. Necessary supplies to aid the Palestinians have failed to reach Gaza, causing a humanitarian crisis. As of today, more than 9,200 have been killed in Gaza, including the deaths of 3,600 Palestinian children. Meanwhile in Israel, more than 1,400 people have been killed from the air and ground, one attack targeting a music festival. Attacks in Israel and the Gaza Strip are ongoing, with Palestinian schools and hospitals becoming targets.
Hamas claims the reason for their attack is the frustration of Palestinians due to Israel’s policies and abuse of Palestinians. Ever since the “Partition Plan” of the UN in 1947, the territories of Palestine and Israel have had trouble making agreements regarding land distribution. Previously in April of 2023, the Israeli police raided the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. There were no deaths, yet tensions had been rising ever since.
There is also an international aspect regarding this conflict. On November 4, information was released that the Japanese government has donated over $65 million US dollars towards Palestinian aid. Aswell as Japan, Russian president Vladamir Putin has always allegedly had a positive relationship with Palestine, or more specifically, Hamas. Hamas delegations have been visiting Moscow since 2007. Russia has never regarded Hamas as a terrorist organization, and has taken a pro-Palestinian stance diplomatically.
The war in the Middle East has undoubtedly caused frustration and anger in the United States. Yesterday, antisemitic messages were found on cars in a Chicago parking garage. Another incident included the stabbing of 6-year old Wadea Al-Fayoume, who later died from his injuries, simply for being Palestinian. This past Saturday, a pro-Palestinian march took place in DC with hundreds of thousands of people protesting for the United States to act for the innocent people of Palestine and the Gaza Strip. Although many groups are now calling for a ceasefire to end the humanitarian crisis, the casualties and suffering in the Middle East continues to grow.
