Introduction: A Year of War
The war that began after the devastating Oct. 7 Hamas attack from Gaza on Israel continues to reshape the Middle East. For many Israelis, that day remains a painful memory, and its aftermath has left the country in shock and mourning. Over 1,200 people were killed, and 250 hostages were taken during a Hamas-led assault in southern Israel, making it the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.
Since then, Israel has responded with a military campaign aimed at eliminating Hamas in Gaza, a densely populated area of 2.3 million people. The result has been the near-total destruction of Gaza, with nearly 42,000 Palestinians reported killed. The war has now expanded, with Hezbollah in Lebanon launching attacks and even Iran getting involved by firing ballistic missiles at Israel.
The October 7 Attack: A Day That Changed Israel and Gaza
October 7, 2023, is a day that many Israelis will never forget. On that day, Hamas militants crossed into Israel, attacking southern communities and military bases. More than 1,200 individuals were slain by them, most of them were civilians, including women, kids, and the older people. In addition, they brought over 250 hostages back into Gaza.
This event was not only a physical attack but an emotional one for Israel. It caused deep trauma and shattered the country’s sense of security. For many, it also exposed a massive failure in Israel’s military and intelligence systems, which had been considered some of the best in the world.
The Response: Gaza in Ruins
Israel’s response to the October 7 attack was swift and overwhelming. The military launched an all-out offensive against Gaza, with the goal of destroying Hamas and ending the threat to its people. Over the past year, this campaign has turned Gaza into a war zone.
Nearly 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza. The entire population of Gaza, which numbers around 2.3 million people, has been displaced. Homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure have been reduced to rubble. Despite calls from around the world for a ceasefire, Israel’s military continues its operations in Gaza.
Hostages: An Open Wound
One of the most painful issues for Israelis is the fate of the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. Families have protested in the streets, demanding that the government do more to bring their loved ones home. The government has faced criticism for not securing the release of these hostages, which remains an unresolved tragedy.
There have been increasing calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, partly driven by the desire to negotiate the return of the hostages. However, this demand is weighed against the desire to see Hamas eliminated as a threat to Israel.
Hezbollah and the Expanding War
While much attention has been focused on Gaza, the war has expanded beyond Israel’s borders. Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon, began launching attacks on Israel on October 8, 2023, in solidarity with Hamas. What began as exchanges of fire at the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated into a wider conflict.
Hezbollah rockets have hit major Israeli cities, including Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city. Israeli media reported that 10 people were wounded after five rockets struck the city. In another attack, Hezbollah launched rockets toward Tiberias, a city 65 kilometers inland. Israeli defense systems intercepted some of the rockets, but others hit the city, damaging buildings and injuring civilians.
In response, Israel has carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut. These airstrikes have displaced over 1.2 million people in Lebanon. Many fear that Lebanon will suffer the same destruction as Gaza if the conflict continues.
Iran’s Role: The Bigger Threat
Beyond the conflict with Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran has also entered the fray. Iran is a powerful backer of both Hezbollah and Hamas, and it has long been seen as a major threat to Israel’s security. Recently, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, raising the possibility of a broader war in the region.
The involvement of Iran has made the conflict even more dangerous, with the potential to draw in other countries, including the United States. Israel’s military has been on high alert, as the war spreads across multiple fronts and threatens to engulf the entire region.
Israelis’ Changing Attitudes
In Israel, the war has led to a hardening of attitudes. Many Israelis support the military campaign in Gaza and believe that the threat from Hezbollah and Hamas must be eliminated. According to a recent survey, 80% of Israelis said they supported military action against Hezbollah, even while the war in Gaza continues.
At the same time, however, there is a growing sense of disillusionment. Many Israelis are angry with their government for not doing enough to protect the hostages and for the security failures that allowed the October 7 attack to happen. Protests against the government, particularly against Prime Minister Netanyahu, have been common in recent months.
Palestinians in Gaza: Living Through Destruction
While the war has devastated Israel, the people of Gaza have suffered the most. The Israeli air and ground campaign has left Gaza in ruins. Many Palestinians have compared the destruction to their own historical trauma, known as the Nakba (or “catastrophe”), which occurred after the founding of Israel in 1948 when many Palestinians lost their homes and land.
The situation in Gaza is dire. Most of the population has been displaced, with families forced to live in makeshift shelters or in the streets. Food, water, and medical supplies are scarce. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with the wounded, and the death toll continues to climb. For the people of Gaza, the war is not just a military conflict; it is a humanitarian disaster.
Israeli-Lebanon Conflict Escalates
In recent weeks, the conflict has also escalated between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli ground incursions into southern Lebanon have been met with fierce resistance from Hezbollah forces. Israeli airstrikes on Beirut have targeted Hezbollah’s command Centers, which Israel claims are located in civilian areas.
The Israeli military accuses Hezbollah of hiding weapons and military infrastructure beneath residential buildings in the heart of Beirut. These strikes have displaced over a million people in Lebanon, causing widespread fear and instability. Hezbollah, on the other hand, continues to launch rocket attacks on Israeli cities, pushing the conflict deeper into both countries.
The Gaza War’s Human Cost
As the war drags on, the human cost continues to rise. Both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered immense loss and trauma, and the region remains on the edge of further escalation. While Israel’s military campaign has made significant gains, especially in targeting Hezbollah’s leadership, the price has been high for both sides.
With millions displaced tens of thousands dead, and hostilities continuing on multiple fronts, the situation in the Middle East remains volatile and tragic. Both Israel and its enemies are locked in a cycle of violence that has left deep scars on the region.