365 Days Since the Gaza War: A Comprehensive Overview
Israel's Brutality in Gaza: One Year Completed
On October 7, 2023, the Gaza conflict marked its first anniversary. Initially sparked by a massive rocket attack from Hamas, this conflict has escalated from Gaza to Lebanon, with repercussions extending to Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
How the Gaza War Began
The war commenced when Hamas launched over a thousand rockets at Israel, breaching the border and attacking Israeli settlements and military personnel. This resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand Israelis and the capture of hundreds of civilians and soldiers, who were taken to Gaza.
Israeli Response and Brutality
In retaliation, Israel initiated extensive airstrikes on Gaza the very next day, followed by a ground offensive that has continued unabated since then. Over the past year, Israeli attacks have led to the deaths of approximately 42,000 Palestinians, including 16,000 children and 11,000 women, while over a hundred thousand have been injured. The infrastructure in Gaza has been largely obliterated.
Failed Ceasefire Efforts
Despite numerous attempts by the United Nations and international powers to broker a ceasefire, these efforts have largely been in vain. In November 2023, both sides briefly agreed to a four-day truce mediated by global intermediaries, during which a prisoner exchange occurred, but hostilities resumed shortly after. U.S. President Joe Biden and other nations have made several attempts to establish a lasting ceasefire, but these have failed primarily due to Israel’s reluctance to cease operations against Hamas.
U.S. Support for Israel
According to Al Jazeera, the U.S. has provided Israel with $17 billion in military aid since October last year. This assistance has been utilized for maintaining the Iron Dome defense system and purchasing arms. The U.S. has also provided intelligence support to counter Hezbollah and Iranian threats.
Expansion of the Conflict to Lebanon
Following ongoing Israeli assaults on Gaza, Hezbollah began targeting northern Israel to support the Palestinians, resulting in retaliatory bombings by Israel in Lebanese territories. This escalation has led to thousands of people displaced on both sides. The conflict remained somewhat contained until the assassination of Hezbollah commander Foad Shukr in August 2024, which triggered a significant increase in hostilities.
Direct Confrontation between Iran and Israel
Israel accuses Iran of backing Hamas and Hezbollah, prompting airstrikes on Iranian facilities in Damascus in April 2024, killing several high-ranking commanders. In retaliation, Iran launched around 300 missiles at Israel, signaling an intensifying conflict.
Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh
Ismail Haniyeh, former leader of Hamas, was reportedly killed in Tehran on July 31, 2024, during an event. While Israel did not formally claim responsibility, Iran held Israel accountable and retaliated on October 1, 2024, attacking Israeli military installations with 300 rockets and missiles.
The Future of the Gaza Conflict
As the conflict reaches its one-year mark, approximately 2 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, alongside about 200,000 Israelis in the north. Despite extensive bombing campaigns and ground operations, Israel has failed to eliminate Hamas’s presence in Gaza, facing ongoing resistance. The conflict has now spread beyond Lebanon to Syria and Iraq, raising concerns about further escalations in the future.
