Why Is There a War Between Hamas and Israel?

 

 Why Is There a War Between Hamas and Israel?  

(Sahil Sharifdin Bhat)

''The wars will end and the leaders will shake hands

And that old woman will remain waiting for her martyred son

And that girl will wait for her beloved husband

And the children will wait for their heroic father

I do not know who sold the homeland

But I know who paid the price.''

[Mahmoud Darwish]

Introduction to #Hamas

Hamas is the political and military organization that governs Gaza

Founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas emerged as both a political and militant movement. Yassin and his successor Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi were assassinated by Israel in 2004.

Mission And Activities of Hamas

Its mission is the annihilation of Israel and the establishment of a state called Palestine extending from the river to the sea. It rejects any compromise with Israel and its military wing is known as the al-Qassam Brigades.

Hamas strongly opposed the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO viewing it as a betrayal of Palestinian rights. This marked the beginning of a deep and violent rivalry with Yasser Arafat's Fatah party. Yasser Arafat was awarded the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, for their efforts in signing the Oslo Accords. 

In 2006 Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian legislative elections. In 2007 after a brief but bloody civil war with Fatah, Hamas fighters violently seized control of the Gaza Strip overthrowing Fatah security forces.

In 2008–09 Israel launched a massive three-week military campaign in response to ongoing rocket fire from Gaza. Approximately 1,100–1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.

Likewise, during the 50-day war in 2014, around 2,100 Palestinians were killed after Hamas militants kidnapped and murdered three Israeli teenagers.

In 2017 Hamas issued a new Document of General Principles and Policies softening its language by distinguishing between Jews and Zionism and expressing acceptance of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders without recognising Israel.

In 2021 an 11-day war broke out amid tensions in Jerusalem. Hamas fired over 4,000 rockets into Israel while Israel conducted extensive airstrikes in Gaza.

The Latest bloody Conflict 

In 2023 on October 7 Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack from Gaza dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Thousands of militants breached the border attacking Israeli towns and military bases killing approximately 1,200 Israelis. In response Israel carried out massive military operations in Gaza killing over 70,000 Palestinians, injuring more than 150,000 and destroying about 200,000 houses and nearly 1,000 mosques. Out of 30,000 Hamas fighters Israel claimed to have neutralised about 14,000. It was horribly horrible. 

The Hamas leader who directed the October 7 war was assassinated by Israel in one of the most secure houses in Tehran on 31 July 2024.

To be continued...

My opinion: Extremism of Hamas has proved harmful to the Palestinian cause in particular and the Muslim world in general. The people of Gaza voted Hamas to power and consequently suffered a live-streamed genocide from 7 October 2023 to 7 October 2025. 

Let's all pray daily for the long lasting peace in the world! Ameen!