Palestine Israel Conflict: A Historical Background

The Palestine-Israel conflict, a deeply entrenched and volatile issue in the Middle East, has roots that date back to the late 19th century. It has sparked numerous wars and peace efforts, with the struggle for land and sovereignty being central to both sides.

Pre-1948 Palestine and the Seeds of Conflict

Before 1948, the land known as Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over much of the Middle East. After the Ottoman defeat in World War I, Britain took control of the area under a mandate from the League of Nations. Palestine was a diverse land, with a Jewish minority and an Arab majority, but tensions began to rise when the Balfour Declaration of 1917 promised a “national home” for the Jewish people in Palestine. This move was backed by Britain and later endorsed by the League of Nations, sparking tensions as both Jews and Palestinian Arabs laid claim to the land.

Jewish migration to Palestine increased significantly during the 1920s and 1930s, particularly as Jews fled European persecution and the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. Violence between Jewish and Arab communities, as well as resistance to British rule, escalated during this period.

The Creation of Israel and the First Arab-Israeli War

In 1947, the United Nations passed Resolution 181, calling for the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. While Jewish leaders accepted the plan, Palestinian Arabs and neighboring Arab states rejected it. On May 14, 1948, Jewish leaders declared the establishment of the State of Israel, triggering the first Arab-Israeli War. This conflict resulted in Israel’s victory, but it also displaced around 750,000 Palestinians, many of whom fled to neighboring countries or became refugees in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The aftermath of the war left the region divided: Israel controlled most of the former British Mandate, while Jordan took control of the West Bank, and Egypt administered Gaza. Jerusalem, a city holy to both Jews and Muslims, was split between Israeli and Jordanian forces. The war marked the beginning of the long-standing struggle for peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Six-Day War and Ongoing Territorial Disputes

Tensions continued to mount in the decades following Israel’s creation. In 1967, the Six-Day War dramatically reshaped the region’s borders. Israel preemptively attacked Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, gaining control over East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. This war intensified the conflict, as Palestinians saw their dreams of statehood further diminished while Israel gained significant territory.

Since then, Israel has maintained control over these areas, though it withdrew from the Sinai after signing a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979. However, the issue of Palestinian refugees and their right of return remains unresolved. Most Palestinian refugees and their descendants still live in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries, while Israel has refused to allow them to return, fearing it would threaten the country’s identity as a Jewish state.

Intifadas and the Struggle for Peace

In 1987, the first Palestinian uprising, known as the Intifada, erupted in the West Bank and Gaza, leading to violent confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians. The unrest led to the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s, which were hailed as a step toward peace. The agreements allowed for limited Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza but failed to resolve critical issues, such as the status of Jerusalem and the future of Israeli settlements.

A second Intifada broke out in 2000, further deepening the conflict. The Israeli government responded by building a separation barrier around the West Bank, further isolating Palestinian territories and increasing tensions. Meanwhile, the political landscape among Palestinians shifted, with the rise of Hamas, a militant group that took control of Gaza in 2007, further complicating peace efforts.

Continued Wars, Diplomacy, and the Path Forward

In recent years, violence between Israel and Hamas has flared repeatedly, most notably during the 2014 Gaza war, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Despite various ceasefires and peace agreements, such as the Camp David Accords and the Oslo process, a lasting resolution to the conflict remains elusive.

The core issues fueling the conflict remain unresolved. These include the fate of Palestinian refugees, the status of Jerusalem, the future of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and whether a two-state solution, where Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist peacefully, is still achievable. Efforts to broker peace, such as the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw several Arab states normalize relations with Israel, have brought hope to some. However, Palestinians largely view these agreements as sidestepping their plight and aspirations for statehood.

The Palestine-Israel conflict continues to be one of the most complex and enduring conflicts in the Middle East, with wars and peace talks ebbing and flowing over the decades. The desire for peace remains strong among many, but the path to it is fraught with challenges.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

October 2023: Unprecedented Escalation

On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched an unprecedented assault on Israel, marking the most severe escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in decades. Hamas fighters fired rockets and infiltrated Israeli cities and towns near the Gaza Strip in a surprise attack. The assault resulted in over 1,300 Israeli deaths, more than 3,300 injuries, and hundreds of hostages taken into Gaza. In response, Israel’s cabinet formally declared war on Hamas the following day, and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a full-scale military offensive.

Israel’s Response & Gaza’s Devastation

Israel’s counteroffensive in the Gaza Strip has been relentless. Following the October 7 attack, Israel enforced a “complete siege” of Gaza, cutting off access to essential resources. By October 2024, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported at least 41,788 Palestinian deaths and over 96,794 wounded. Almost 85 percent of Gaza’s population, approximately two million people, have been displaced from their homes. Efforts to negotiate for the release of the hostages held by Hamas have largely been unsuccessful, leaving their fate uncertain.

Regional Tensions & International Responses

The conflict has ignited heightened tensions across the Middle East. Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have clashed with Israeli forces, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels and various Iraqi militias have attacked Israel and U.S. military positions in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been actively involved in trying to mediate a ceasefire, though such efforts have not resulted in a lasting truce.

The Ground Invasion and Hostage Negotiations

Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza began on October 27, 2023, targeting northern Gaza initially. The invasion continued despite international calls for de-escalation, leading to massive destruction. A brief pause occurred in late November during a hostage-for-prisoner swap, which allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza, but hostilities resumed shortly after. By January 2024, under pressure from the United States, Israel began withdrawing its forces, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that military operations in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah, were crucial to defeating Hamas.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The ongoing conflict has created a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. With critical infrastructure destroyed, Gaza is running dangerously low on water, food, fuel, and medical supplies. Only eleven out of the thirty-five hospitals in Gaza remain operational, and international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations, have warned of a looming famine and disease outbreaks. The situation is exacerbated by Israeli airstrikes that have damaged key medical facilities, including Gaza’s largest hospital, al-Shifa, where hundreds of bodies were discovered in mass graves after an Israeli raid.

Escalation with Iran & Regional Fallout

In April 2024, Israel expanded its military actions beyond Gaza, targeting Iranian military officers in Damascus. Iran retaliated with a barrage of drone and missile attacks, escalating tensions further. While Israel was able to thwart Iran’s offensive, it conducted a limited aerial strike on Iranian military facilities, avoiding a broader confrontation at the urging of the United States and other international allies. Tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, have continued, with a notable Hezbollah attack in July 2024 killing eleven people in the Golan Heights. This sparked retaliatory actions by Israel, further fueling the risk of regional war.

Diplomatic Efforts & the Road Ahead

Efforts by the United States and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire have thus far failed. Hamas has rejected most proposals, and Israel continues to limit aid to Gaza. Diplomatic tensions have also risen between Israel and its allies, particularly the United States, over the high Palestinian death toll. Egypt and Jordan, which have historically accepted displaced Palestinians, have refused to open their borders, fearing the influx of refugees could destabilize their own countries and leave Palestinians permanently displaced.

The war’s trajectory remains uncertain. Although some international pressure has led to partial Israeli troop withdrawals, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with hostilities in southern Gaza, northern Israel, and across the broader Middle East continuing into late 2024. The humanitarian toll in Gaza remains catastrophic, and prospects for peace seem elusive as regional powers weigh their involvement in the conflict.

The Role of Key International Players

The United States has been Israel’s strongest ally throughout the conflict, providing billions in military aid, while Russia and China have maintained neutrality, engaging both sides diplomatically. Iran, a key backer of Hamas and Hezbollah, has denied direct involvement in Hamas’ initial October 7 attack, though its longstanding support for these groups has played a significant role in the war’s evolution.

The United Nations has condemned the significant civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, calling for immediate humanitarian aid and investigations into potential war crimes. Despite these efforts, continued hostilities and the complex web of international alliances and regional rivalries make the resolution of this conflict highly uncertain.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, ignited by Hamas’ attack in October 2023, has escalated into a full-blown regional crisis with devastating humanitarian consequences. As Israel continues its military campaigns, the world watches with growing concern over the increasing civilian toll and the potential for further regional destabilization. Peace remains elusive as international diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction amidst an intensifying conflict.