The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for the past decades and is recently making headlines as the latest rounds of violence between both sides have been undeniable. With so much information about this topic being everywhere you turn, most get confused when attempting to understand this war. It is important to understand that the complexity of the situation dates to 1885 according to the United Nations (Timeline of events leading to current ones are listed below). Through those years listed below, peace was rarely prolonged, recent attacks have increased violence like no other said date.
Why exactly are Israel and Palestine at War? One of the main problems is the competing off aiming territories, specifically West Bank and Gaza strips. Both sides claim authority over these areas. According to Aljazeera news, “Israel’s hatred of the Palestinians is shaped and driven by three basic sentiments: fear, envy and anger.” Israel fears that Palestine will become a nation too strong to overthrow and they will take over. Israel is angry because Palestine does not give up or give in to any of their orders regarding the possession of their lands. Lastly, they are said to envy Palestine’s inner power and outward pride. It is crucial to note that the conflict is many-sided, and there are many aspects to consider.
According to CNN news, Israel and Hamas are at war, after the Palestinian militant group launched surprise cross-border raids from Gaza on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking hundreds of hostages. In return, Israel has attacked the territory with air strikes that have killed more than 7,300 people and injured 18,500 others, according to figures released by the Palestine Ministry of Health in Ramallah drawn from sources in the Hamas controlled enclave. According to United Nation News, over 7,700 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli bombing campaign began, with more than 19,740 injured.
Women and children account for 66% of the casualties. Ms. Albanese states that, “All schools have been targeted one way or another.” A lot of the violence against the people of Palestine is too graphic to share but it is nothing but complete and utter evil. All Palestinians grow in panic as communications were shut down and all their resources were cut short. Most do not have water, food, houses, they are being left with nothing. As October ends, this war is only claiming more innocent people’s lives. Every day, we receive the latest updates on the war on the news.
Many have opinions and different ideas regarding this war. History teacher, Jeremy Fallquist states that he thinks it is sad that the middle East has been at war or conflict on and off for so long. He says,” It is tragic that innocent people are being killed on both sides. Peace in the Middle East seems so elusive.”
Moreover, Al Jazeera reporter Wael Dahdouh says, “A genocide and holocaust is unfolding in Gaza before the eyes of the world.” People choose sides according to their beliefs but regardless of what side you may be on, one must recognize the immense privilege we carry. Most of us are unaffected directly by this war and genocide and we can turn off the news/tv and go about our days without a second thought of the agony others cannot escape. Millions are in pain and in terror, and they need help. The best ways to help directly is to donate to help humanitarian efforts in Israel and Gaza. You can donate to Global relief Agencies such as Doctors without Borders, UNICEF, International Committee of the Red Cross, and Save the children. Your efforts in helping spread awareness of this situation can also aid in helping this war end in less casualties. Be sure to not spread hate but rather love and useful information that could be helpful in times such as these.
Below you will see a timeline that will inform you of the past key events that have led up to the horrific war we see happening today.
1885: The term “Zionism” first coined by the Viennese writer, Nathan Birnbaum (the movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel)
1933: Palestinians riot amid sudden rise in Jewish immigration from Nazi persecution in Germany.
1939: UK issues Paper limiting Jewish immigration.
1936/1939: Palestine rebellion against the British Mandate and Jewish immigration
1942: US Zionists meet in NY and adopt the “Biltmore Programme,” calling for establishment of Palestine as a Jewish Commonwealth and for unlimited immigration.
April 1948: Deir Yassin massacre: Zionist paramilitary groups kill hundreds of Palestine Arabs in Deir Yassin, a village near Jerusalem.
May 1948: Great Britain terminates the Mandate over Palestine and Israel declares independence on May 15.
November 1948: UN establishes UNRPR special fund to provide relief to over 500,000 Palestine refugees.
May 1949: UNGA adopts Resolution 273 admitting Israel as UN member.
1950: Israel moves its capital from Tel Aviv to the western part of Jerusalem, in defiance of UN resolutions, and the West Bank is brought formally under Jordanian control.
1967: Six-day war: Israel occupies West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula. In November, the UN Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 242 (Land for peace.
1968: Establishment of UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.
1982: Israel invades Lebanon with the intention of eliminating the PLO. After a ceasefire, PLO forces withdraw to neighboring countries. Despite guarantees of safety for Palestine refugees left behind, there are massacres at Sabra and Shatila camps. 2001: Outgoing US President Clinton proposes the Clinton Parameters for a permanent status agreement to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
2007: Israel imposes a blockade on the Gaza Strip after an armed takeover of Gaza by Hamas.
2008: Israel broadens its sanctions and completely seals off the Gaza Strip.
2012: In November, Israel launches ‘Pillar of Defense’ an 8-day military operation against the Gaza Strip. Later that month, the General Assembly adopts resolution 67/19 granting Palestine the status of non-member observer State in the UN.
2014: Israel launches a large-scale military operation codenamed “Protective Edge” on the Gaza Strip. 2023: Israel launches “Operation Swords of Iron” against Gaza following Hamas attack.
(The timeline was curated by the United nation’s official website)
