In September 2021, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is at war after a devastating attack by the Palestinian Islamist Group Hamas.[0] The attack involved firing thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel and infiltrating operatives across the border.[0] Netanyahu vowed to retaliate with a magnitude of force that the enemy has not known.[1]
The Israeli response was swift and aggressive. Operation Iron Swords was launched, which included a massive wave of retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza and the calling up of military reservists.[2] The Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli airstrikes have already claimed the lives of 232 people in Gaza, with the death toll expected to rise.[3]
The attack by Hamas was meticulously planned and executed.[4] It involved launching over 2,500 missiles, armed incursions into Israeli communities, and the killing of over 200 Israelis. Hamas also reportedly took dozens of Israelis hostage.[5] The scale and scope of the attack caught Israel off guard, resulting in a major intelligence and military failure.
The international community, including the United States, expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself. President Joe Biden condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas and pledged “rock solid” support for Israel.[6] Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured Israel that the United States stands squarely by its side and will ensure it has what it needs to defend itself.
The situation escalated further when Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in mass casualties.[7] The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that nearly 200 people have been killed and over 1,600 wounded in the airstrikes.[5] The destruction caused by the airstrikes is devastating, with residential and office buildings leveled.
Hamas has called on the international community to intervene and stop the atrocities in Gaza, including the attacks on Palestinian people and their holy sites like Al-Aqsa.[8] However, Israel’s allies, including the United States, have reiterated their support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
The attack by Hamas has highlighted the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.[9] Many Palestinians have been living under the daily reality of apartheid, occupation, and siege, while Israelis now experience a fraction of the horror that Palestinians have endured for far too long.[10] Calls for an end to apartheid, occupation, and siege have grown louder, emphasizing the need for a future based on justice and equality for all.[11]
The attack by Hamas and Israel’s response have exposed weaknesses in Israel’s intelligence and preparedness. The surprise attack breached the Israeli border in multiple ways, and Israeli military and civilian leadership were caught off guard. The failure of intelligence and preparedness is reminiscent of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, which was also a major intelligence failure.[12]
As the conflict continues, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. The United States has pledged to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism. The focus now is on finding a resolution that will bring an end to the cycle of violence and create a future of peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.
0. “ALL ISRAEL NEWS Editor-in-Chief Joel Rosenberg interviewed by WABC Radio about Hamas’ surprise attack against …” All Israel News, 7 Oct. 2023, https://allisrael.com/all-israel-news-editor-in-chief-joel-rosenberg-interviewed-by-wabc-radio-about-hamas-surprise-attack-against-israel
1. “Statement from President Joe Biden Condemning Terrorist Attacks in Israel” US Embassy in Israel, 7 Oct. 2023, https://il.usembassy.gov/statement-from-president-joe-biden-condemning-terrorist-attacks-in-israel/
2. “Israel ‘At War’ After Stunning Attack by Hamas: What We Know” New York Magazine, 7 Oct. 2023, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/10/israel-at-war-after-stunning-attack-by-hamas-what-we-know.html
3. “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/
4. “From hubris to humiliation: The 10 hours that shocked Israel” Al Jazeera English, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/10/7/from-hubris-to-humiliation-the-10-hours-that-shocked-israel
5. “Ayman: Hamas’ ‘extremely sophisticated’ attack shows the limits of Israel’s ‘usual deterrent’” MSNBC, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/watch/ayman-hamas-extremely-sophisticated-attack-shows-the-limits-of-israel-s-usual-deterrent-194648133857
6. “Biden Says Israel Under Terrorist Attack, Pledges US Support” Bloomberg, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-07/biden-condemns-surprise-israel-attacks-offers-full-us-support
7. “Hapless Netanyahu Was Totally Unprepared for Attack, David Rothkopf Writes” The Daily Beast, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/hapless-netanyahu-was-totally-unprepared-for-attack-david-rothkopf-writes
8. “Hamas attacks Israel: Netanyahu has “we are at war”” Axios, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/10/07/hamas-attack-invasion-israel-death-toll-netanyahu
9. “Ukraine’s support of Israel amid tensions with Palestine raises concerns of West’s ‘hypocrisy'” UPI News, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/10/07/ukraine-support-israel-tensions-palestine-concerns-west-hypocrisy/5171696722190/
10. “Israel-Palestine history: The deep roots of the Israel-Gaza conflict” Vox.com, 8 Oct. 2023, https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907912/israel-palestine-conflict-history-explained-gaza-hamas
11. “Gaza’s shock attack has terrified Israelis. It should also unveil the context” +972 Magazine, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.972mag.com/gaza-attack-context-israelis
12. “This Will Be a Pyrrhic Victory for Hamas” The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2023, https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/10/israel-war-hamas-attacks/675579/
