Understanding the Conflict: Hamas and Israel

The recent tensions between Hamas and Israel have resulted in significant casualties. The conflict is complex and rooted in long-standing issues of occupation, self-defense, and the fight for freedom. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation, including the historical context and the role of international actors.

The Hamas-Isra?l Crises and Civilian Casualties

The Israeli strikes in Gaza, as of the latest reports, have resulted in over 6500 civilian deaths. This is juxtaposed with the 1400 estimated fatalities from Hamas's October 7th attack. However, upon closer inspection, the accounts paint a different picture.

According to the International Crisis Group (ICG), most of the casualties can be attributed to:

Zionist soldiers, armed policemen, Shin Bet reservists, settlers who fought against resistance, A number of civilians.

Video evidence and eyewitness accounts indicate that Hamas fighters treated their prisoners with kindness, while Zionist forces were accused of indiscriminate firing, including at their own compatriots. The settlement civilian deaths were, according to some, a result of preemptive strikes to prevent leverage.

Achieving Their Objectives

Hamas is clearly motivated by the desire for freedom from the Israeli occupation. The continuous humiliation and restrictions placed on Gaza’s people have led to terrorist acts, such as the attack on October 7th, aimed at eliciting a strong response from Israel. The blockaded status of Gaza, without airports, seaports, or the ability to generate electricity independently, adds fuel to the flames of unrest.

The ramifications of this conflict extend beyond a single event. Decades of understanding the origins of the conflict is essential. The Palestinian people have endured a 75-year occupation, which has resulted in numerous violent incidents, including those committed by Hamas and Israeli forces.

International Context and Responsibility

While Hamas's attacks on civilians are unequivocally condemnable, it is equally important to acknowledge the blame and accountability. The International Human Rights Law and the Customary International Law must be considered, as the actions of the Israeli state are subject to scrutiny for war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and violations of international law.

As Judith Butler outlines in "The Compass of Mourning," the international community bears a significant responsibility for the protracted occupation and the suffering of the Palestinian people. The perpetual silence on Israel's actions, despite ongoing illegal settlements, demolitions, and arbitrary arrests, is a form of complicity.

Historian Ilan Pappe in his book, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, reinforces this view, detailing the chronology of events leading to the establishment of the state of Israel and the displacement of Palestinian populations. The British Mandate's decision to leave the issue to the UN in 1947, and the subsequent Partition Resolution in 1947, set the stage for the massacres, expulsions, and dehumanization of Palestinians throughout the years.

The ongoing narrative perpetuates the notion that Israel is a victim, while the victims are the Palestinians. The international community must acknowledge the historical and contemporary injustices to support a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.