New Delhi: The conflict between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers erupted following a major attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement, marking the deadliest incident in Israel’s 75-year history on October 7. Israeli officials have reported that over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, have been killed. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has stated that Israeli bombardments have resulted in the deaths of 9,488 Palestinians, including 3,900 children.
Key Developments:
Hamas Launches Attacks on Israel:
On October 7, rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israel, accompanied by hundreds of Hamas fighters infiltrating southern Israel by land, sea, and air. Israeli officials claim that more than 1,400 individuals, primarily civilians, have lost their lives. Among the casualties were 270 young people attending a music festival and hundreds more in communities near the Gaza border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks as “savagery not seen since the Shoah,” using the Hebrew term for the Holocaust. He pledged to “crush” Hamas, an organization designated as a “terrorist organization” by the United States, Britain, Israel, and the European Union.
Israeli Retaliation and Siege:
Following the attacks, Israel swiftly responded with airstrikes on Gaza as they fought against remaining Hamas fighters within Israel’s borders. On October 10, Israel regained control of the Gaza border area. On October 9, Israel imposed a complete siege, cutting off power, food deliveries, and water supplies to Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. Subsequently, on October 13, Israel urged citizens in northern Gaza to move to the south within 24 hours, resulting in hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing the area. The Arab League condemned this action as a “forced transfer.”
Israel-Hezbollah Clash:
Israel also engaged in cross-border fire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas supported by Iran. The clashes resulted in the death of a Reuters video journalist on October 13, and six journalists from AFP, Reuters, and Al Jazeera were wounded. Lebanon blamed Israel for these incidents.
Hospital Strike in Gaza:
On October 17, a deadly strike targeted Gaza’s Al-Ahli hospital. The Hamas health ministry reported a death toll of at least 471 people, while US intelligence sources estimated the number to be “100 to 300.” Israel denied responsibility, attributing the incident to a misfired rocket by Islamic Jihad militants. Anti-Israel protests erupted across the Arab world in response.
Release of Hostages and Aid Trucks Enter Gaza:
Between October 20 and 22, four female hostages were released, followed by the rescue of an Israeli soldier, also a woman, on October 30 in a ground operation carried out by Israeli forces. On October 28, Hamas expressed willingness to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The first humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on October 21, with over 370 trucks entering by November 3.
Further Escalation and Violations of Humanitarian Law:
On October 21, Israel intensified its airstrikes, prompting Iran to warn of a potential escalation that could spiral out of control in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the “clear violations of international humanitarian law” in Gaza on October 24. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians have been displaced since the conflict began.
Israeli Tanks Enter Gaza and Ceasefire Efforts:
On October 26, Israeli tanks entered Gaza for several hours, leading the UN General Assembly to call for an “immediate humanitarian truce” the following day. International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan stated on October 29 that preventing access to humanitarian aid could be considered a crime. Netanyahu announced the commencement of “the second stage of the war” aimed at destroying Hamas’s military capabilities, rescuing the hostages, and dismissing the possibility of a ceasefire. On October 31, Israeli forces reported engaging in “fierce battles” inside Gaza.
Evacuations to Egypt and Refugee Camp Bombings:
On November 1, Egypt opened the Rafah crossing to facilitate the evacuation of wounded Palestinians, foreigners, and dual nationals from Gaza. Egypt pledged to assist in evacuating approximately 7,000 individuals. Between October 31 and November 2, Israel’s military conducted three strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. Four UN schools providing shelter for displaced people were also hit.
Israel Surrounds Gaza City and US Position:
After almost a week of ground fighting in northern Gaza, the Israeli army announced on November 2 that it had surrounded Gaza City. On November 3, Israel began repatriating thousands of Palestinian workers trapped in Israel since the conflict’s onset. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself while urging the protection of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. He emphasized that Israel’s security ultimately depends on the establishment of a Palestinian state. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Israel against attacking Lebanon, stating that “all options,” including “total war,” were on the table. Hamas alleged that a deadly Israeli strike targeted a convoy of ambulances near Gaza’s largest hospital. Blinken reaffirmed US support for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting on November 4, despite Netanyahu’s rejection of the idea. Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited troops on the ground inside Gaza.
