Israel-Palestine Conflict: From historical context to big episodes of violence; here's all you need to know
Israel-Palestine Conflict: Israel has declared a state of war in response to rocket attacks from the blockaded Gaza Strip. As tensions rise, sirens are blaring across the holy city of Jerusalem.
Following months of growing violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rockets began raining down on Israel from Gaza around 6:30 a.m., with the largest number of fatalities in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict, in years.
The Palestinian group Hamas claimed responsibility for the missile attack on Israel.
“We have decided to put an end to all of this, with the help of God, so that the enemy understands that the time of recklessness without accountability is over. We declare Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, and the first strike has surpassed 5,000 missiles and shells in the first 20 minutes," Hamas militant leader Mohamed Deif, in a pre-recorded speech, said.
Amateur video footage being circulated on social media shows individuals dressed in camouflage, holding firearms, and appearing to cross the border fence into Israeli territory. Social media videos allegedly showed Hamas militants taking the bodies of many Israeli troops into the streets to celebrate.
A viral video also showed a Hamas infiltrator flying into Israel on a motorized hang glider.
Footage of a hamas infiltrator using a motorized hang glider to get into Israel.
This is insane. pic.twitter.com/pUbmSEseUZ — Global: Military-Info (@Global_Mil_Info) October 7, 2023
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Following the Ottoman Empire's loss in World War I, Britain took control of Palestine, which was home to a Jewish minority and an Arab majority.
The international community tasked Britain with establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine, escalating tensions between the two communities.
The number of Jewish immigrants to Palestine expanded dramatically between the 1920s and 1940s, as many Jews fled persecution in Europe and sought a homeland in the aftermath of the Holocaust.
Tensions between Jews and Arabs grew, as did resistance to British rule. The United Nations agreed in 1947 to break up Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab administrations, with Jerusalem placed under international control. The plan was backed by the Jewish leadership, but it was rejected by the Arab side; thus was never implemented.
In 1948, failing to put an end to the conflict, British authorities left and Jewish leaders proclaimed the founding of Israel. Many Palestinians opposed it, and conflict broke out. Arab neighbouring countries intervened militarily. In what they call Al Nakba, or "The Catastrophe," hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were pushed from their homes.
Over the years, Israel and Palestine have been involved in a number of conflicts, some minor, some catastrophic in scale, resulting in the deaths of thousands.
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August 2005 – Israeli forces withdraw unilaterally from Gaza, abandoning settlements and handing over power of the territory to the Palestinian Authority.
January 2006 - In a Palestinian legislative election, the Islamist faction Hamas obtains a majority of seats. Because Hamas refuses to renounce violence and recognize Israel, Israel and the U.S. cut off aid to Palestinians.
In a cross-border attack from Gaza, Hamas militants abduct Israeli army conscript Gilad Shalit, sparking Israeli air strikes and incursions. Shalit is finally released in a prisoner exchange more than five years later.
June 2007 - In a brief civil war, Hamas seizes control of Gaza, deposing Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is stationed in the West Bank.
December 2008 - Israel launched a 22-day military offensive in Gaza in response to Palestinian rocket attacks on the Israeli town of Sderot in the south. Before a ceasefire is reached, around 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis are reported killed.
November 2012 - Ahmad Jabari, the military chief of staff of Hamas, is assassinated by Israel. Following that are eight days of Palestinian militant rocket fire and Israeli air strikes.
July-August 2014 - The kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers by Hamas spark a seven-week fight in which over 2,100 Palestinians are allegedly killed in Gaza and 73 Israelis are reported killed, 67 of whom are military personnel.
March 2018 - Protests begin near Gaza's fenced border with Israel. To keep protestors at bay, Israeli forces opened fire. More than 170 Palestinians were reported killed in months of protests, which have also resulted in clashes between Hamas and Israeli forces.
Aug 2022 - At least 44 people are killed in three days of unrest that begins with Israeli air strikes on a high-ranking Islamic Jihad commander.
Israel claims the strikes were a pre-emptive strike against an impending attack by the Iranian-backed militant outfit, with commanders and weapons caches targeted. In response, Islamic Jihad launched over 1,000 rockets towards Israel. The Iron Dome air defence system in Israel prevents any severe damage or casualties.
Jan 2023 - After Israeli troops raid a refugee camp and kill seven Palestinian gunmen and two civilians, Islamic Jihad in Gaza fires two rockets towards Israel. The rockets raise fears in Israeli communities near the border, but no one is injured. Israel replies by launching airstrikes on Gaza.
Oct 2023 - From the Gaza Strip, Hamas launches the largest attack on Israel in years, combining gunmen crossing the border with a massive bombardment of rockets.
Israel's military declared war on Hamas, saying it had carried out operations in Gaza and had called up reservists.
Also Read | Israel declares 'state of war' following launch of 5,000 Palestinian rockets from Gaza
- PTC NEWS
