Israel–Hamas war
Ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups[lower-alpha 19] has been taking place chiefly in the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023. Clashes have also occurred in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and with Hezbollah along the Israel–Lebanon–Golan Heights border. The fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, it is part of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War 50 years earlier.[152]
The war began when Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, involving a barrage of several thousand rockets concurrent to an estimated 3,000 militants breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier and attacking Israeli civilian communities and military bases. During this attack, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals including 766 civilians and 373 security personnel were killed,[lower-alpha 20] while 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive to the Gaza Strip.[153] Hamas said its attack was in response to Israel's continued occupation, settlements expansion, persisting blockade, and threats to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners.[154][155] After clearing militants from its territory, Israel tightened its blockade and launched one of the deadliest and most destructive bombing campaigns in modern history,[156][157] before commencing a large-scale ground invasion on 27 October with the stated objectives of destroying Hamas and releasing the hostages, as well as its intention to control Gaza following the war.[158][159]
Since the start of the Israeli operation, more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed,[86] including over 15,000 children and 10,000 women.[87][88] Over 10,000 others are missing and presumed trapped under rubble.[160][161] Nearly all of the strip's 2.3 million Palestinian population has been internally displaced,[162] as well as hundreds of thousands of Israelis.[163] Israel's tightened blockade cut off basic necessities and its attacks on infrastructure have led to a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, including a collapse of the healthcare system and an impending famine.[164] By early 2024, Israeli forces had damaged or destroyed more than half of Gaza's houses,[165] at least a third of its tree cover and farmland,[166][167] most of its schools and universities,[168] hundreds of cultural landmarks,[169] and dozens of cemeteries.[170] A seven-day truce took place in late November 2023 during which captives were exchanged.[171] Israel's upcoming offensive in Rafah, criticized by the international community, is nearing execution while ceasefire efforts remain ongoing.[172]
The war has had significant international repercussions. Large protests have occurred across the world, primarily pro-Palestinian ones calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation. Israel's actions have been denounced in the Islamic world and much of the Global South. In December 2023, South Africa launched proceedings at the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has received significant support from its traditional Western allies, most notably the United States, which has provided Israel extensive military aid throughout the war[needs update] and has vetoed multiple UN Security Council ceasefire resolutions.[173] Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed Axis of Resistance has attacked American military bases in the Middle East, and the Yemeni Houthi movement started attacks on commercial ships they alleged were linked to Israel, incurring a US-led military response.[174]