Israel’s War on Hamas: A Conflict That Shows No Signs of Ending
Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, has stated that the war on Hamas will continue for many months. Despite global calls for a cease-fire, Israel remains determined to destroy Hamas, the terrorist organization responsible for killing 1,200 people and capturing 240 hostages. The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, with Israeli actions particularly focused on a central area just south of the Gaza Strip.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of Israeli bombardment on civilians in Middle Gaza. The UN Human Rights Office has expressed grave concern over the continued bombardment, which has claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives since Christmas Eve. While Israel has issued warnings and evacuation orders, the international community insists that Israeli forces must do more to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law obligations.
The devastating impact of the conflict is evident in the number of casualties and displaced individuals. Palestinian health authorities report that nearly 21,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been driven from their homes multiple times. In a somber ceremony, Gaza authorities buried 80 unidentified Palestinians whose bodies were handed over by Israel.
Israel maintains that it is taking measures to protect civilians and places blame on Hamas for operating among them. However, even Israel’s closest ally, the United States, has called for greater efforts to reduce civilian deaths. President Joe Biden has criticized what he refers to as “indiscriminate bombing.”
The conflict’s reach appears to be expanding beyond the Gaza Strip. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a container ship in the Red Sea and an attempted drone attack on Israel. The Houthis have been targeting ships they believe are linked to Israel in response to Israel’s assault on Gaza.
In addition, an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed a senior leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. On the Lebanon border, Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at a church, injuring nine Israeli soldiers and a civilian. Israel retaliated with airstrikes after rockets were launched from near a mosque. Furthermore, an explosion occurred near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, India, although no staff members were harmed.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the conflict as a multi-front war, with attacks originating from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. Israel has already taken action in six of these theaters but did not specify the one that has yet to see Israeli intervention.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer held talks in Washington with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The discussions focused on the war and the return of hostages. While the United States has urged Israel to scale down its operations and target Hamas leaders specifically, it is still seen as a supporter of Israel in the region.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of ending soon. With both sides remaining determined and incidents occurring beyond the Gaza Strip, the war is likely to continue for many months. The international community continues to call for a cease-fire and greater protection of civilians, but the path to peace remains uncertain.