On October 7, a massive attack was carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, causing significant casualties and taking hostages. The scale and scope of the attack were unprecedented, catching Israel off guard and highlighting a major intelligence failure.[0] The attack involved rockets fired from Gaza and infiltrations across the border, resulting in fierce firefights at multiple locations in southern Israel.[0] At least 250 Israelis were killed, with over 1,400 more wounded, and dozens were taken hostage.[0]
The attack has put enormous pressure on Israel to root out Hamas from Gaza, a challenging task considering the organization’s deep economic, religious, and social base there.[0] Israeli leaders now face the need to demonstrate success, such as the deaths or arrests of senior Hamas leaders, to show that they are striking back.[0] However, the cost to ordinary Gazans is expected to be heavy.
The full extent of the attack is not yet known, but it is already one of the most challenging Israel has faced.[1] Hamas is now attempting to maximize its achievement by expanding the campaign to other areas, including Israel’s northern border.[1] The group is also likely preparing for a possible Israeli ground campaign and bargaining for the release of its members in exchange for captured Israelis.
Hamas leaders view Israel as illegitimate and hostile, justifying their attacks as a means to gain political advantage. They understand the heavy price ordinary Gazans will pay but hope that it will lead to a favorable political settlement in the end. However, this strategic move by Hamas may prove to be a mistake, similar to the long-term consequences Al Qaeda faced after the 9/11 attacks.[1]
The United States has expressed its support for Israel, with President Biden offering all appropriate means of support to defend against terrorism.[2] Military assistance, including intelligence sharing, has been discussed to aid Israel’s security. The U.S. warns against any other party seeking advantage in this situation and emphasizes its unwavering support for Israel.[3]
Some commentators speculate that the attack was an attempt to disrupt Saudi-Israeli normalization talks, but it is unlikely to achieve that goal. Instead, Israel is expected to lock down Gaza with increased presence and restrictions, affecting negotiations for the path forward for Palestinians.[1] Hamas’s actions are seen as a disservice to all Palestinians.[1]
The surprise and scale of Hamas’s attack have shocked Israel and outside observers. The attack was carried out without Israel’s knowledge, revealing the limitations of even the most intrusive surveillance dragnets.[4] The quantity of intelligence collected on Hamas may have obscured plans for this specific attack.[4] Tensions had been high, and warnings of a Third Intifada were common, but the attack still caught Israel off guard, leading to accusations of a major intelligence failure.[0]
Hamas’s attack can be attributed to several factors. First, it aligns with the group’s historical use of terror attacks to draw attention to the unresolved conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.[1] Second, the deteriorating situation under the right-wing Israeli government has worsened Palestinians’ plight, further motivating Hamas to act.[1] Lastly, experts have warned of an impending popular uprising, and Hamas may be seeking to turn the tables on Israel.[1]
In response to the attack, the U.S. has condemned Hamas and expressed solidarity with Israel.[5] The Biden administration has pledged support and assistance, including closely monitoring the use of funds transferred to Iran. Republicans have criticized Biden’s policies, blaming him for the attack due to his negotiation and release of funds to Iran.
Overall, Hamas’s attack on Israel has created a significant crisis, with Israel facing the challenge of rooting out the organization while minimizing civilian casualties. The attack has exposed intelligence failures and highlighted the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.[6] The international community, particularly the United States, is closely monitoring the situation and offering support to Israel. The long-term consequences of this attack for Hamas and the region remain to be seen.
0. “Hamas-Israel Attack: What’s Happening and Why” Foreign Policy, 7 Oct. 2023, https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/10/07/hamas-attack-israel-declares-war-gaza-why-explained/
1. “Experts react: Israel is ‘at war’ after Hamas militants launch major assault” Atlantic Council, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react/experts-react-israel-is-at-war-after-hamas-militants-launch-major-assault/
2. “Israel is trying to regain full control of its territory a day after Hamas attack” NPR, 8 Oct. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/10/08/1204539821/israel-trying-to-regain-full-control-of-its-territory-day-after-hamas-attack
3. “Timeline of surprise rocket attack by Hamas on Israel” ABC News, 8 Oct. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/International/timeline-surprise-rocket-attack-hamas-israel/story?id=103816006
4. “Israel’s Failure to Stop the Hamas Attack Shows the Danger of Too Much Surveillance” WIRED, 8 Oct. 2023, https://www.wired.com/story/israel-hamas-war-surveillance
5. “Israeli Prime Minister tells Biden Israel will have to undertake a major military campaign” Yahoo News, 7 Oct. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/israeli-prime-minister-tells-biden-170014453.html
6. “Hundreds killed in Israel after Hamas launches attacks” TODAY, 8 Oct. 2023, https://www.today.com/video/hundreds-killed-in-israel-after-hamas-launches-attacks-194680901602
