For more than a century there has been an increasing tension between Israel and Palestine. After World War II ended, Israel gained their independence on May 14, 1948. That same day, Israel and Palestine declared war. This was known as the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. Due to Israel’s independence, Palestinians were placed in different regions such as the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and surrounding countries. Over 700,000 Palestinians fled due to the circumstances in Israel. On October 7, 2023 Hamas militants launched surprise attacks towards Southern Israel. Israel punches back towards Hamas, brutally attacking the Gaza Strip. This marked a new stage towards an ongoing war.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists in Gaza fired thousands of rockets toward Israel. Then they invaded different towns within Israel, and IDF bases near Gaza, commencing a massacre. Once inside towns, Hamas was shooting everything and everyone in sight. They broke into homes, shot people, burned houses down, and committed additional horrific war crimes. Well over 1,000 civilians were murdered and over 200 were abducted. More terrorists then invaded the Nova Music Festival, while the civilians attempted to evacuate due to the threat of rockets. Most people couldn’t get out and many were killed or abducted. IDF forces tried to aid, but the bases were being taken over and soldiers were being killed.
Just a day later, on October 8, Israel declared war on Hamas. Israel has retaliated by completely cutting off any and all supply to the Gaza Strip; nothing in and nothing out, no food or water, and no fuel. Gaza is very densely populated with more than two million people residing there, half of which are children, and all of which are in danger. A Christian hospital in Gaza was bombed, but it’s not clear who dropped the bomb; some speculate that it was the Israeli military but as Hamas is a terrorist organization, they could have very well dropped the bomb themselves, and sacrificed their people just to put Israel in a poor light. Reported in Al Jazeera, “According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the aerial assault…has killed 5,791 Palestinians and injured a staggering 16,297, many of whom require hospital treatment. That is in addition to the patients with chronic conditions and those who were already being treated in a healthcare sector that has long teetered near collapse.”
People around the world are doing whatever they can to get involved. The United States is supporting the cause through diplomatic efforts, aid, and support for peace negotiations. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder verified the fact that the United States is sending two U.S. Iron Dome systems to Israel to protect the country from attacks by intercepting and destroying incoming projectiles.
In a conflict as serious as this, the only outcome is devastation for the many lives lost.
