Hamas-Israel Conflict Triggered by October 7 Assault, Rooted in Decades of History
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas was immediately triggered by a large-scale assault launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading Israel to declare war. However, the broader context of the Gaza-Israel conflict spans a much longer period. Key historical points include Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 and Hamas's subsequent takeover of Gaza in 2007. The conflict is also intertwined with earlier wars, the ongoing blockade of Gaza, and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict that dates back decades. There are two prevailing perspectives on the conflict's origin: one views the current war as beginning on October 7, 2023, while the other argues that understanding the conflict necessitates acknowledging its extensive historical roots, extending beyond 2023, 1967, or 1948. Recent escalations prior to the current conflict include major wars and operations in 2008-09, 2012, and 2014, characterized by heavy rocket fire into Israel and airstrikes on Gaza. Additionally, the 2018-2019 border p...