On Oct. 7, in a surprise attack, the Gaza Strip-based terrorist organization Hamas barraged Israel with upwards of 2,000 rockets, according to ABC.
While being pummeled with rockets Israel undertook ground attacks in towns surrounding Gaza. In these attacks, 1,400 Israeli citizens were killed, and an estimated 221 were kidnapped.
Of those kidnapped are 13 American citizens. In recent weeks a bipartisan push to rescue those who were kidnapped has unfolded. Families of those kidnapped have met with congresspeople of both parties to increase the focus on the kidnapped.
The Gaza Strip is an enclave located south of Israel that has been under Hamas control since 2006.
Since it gained control of the enclave smaller than Boston, Hamas has used the southern territory as a staging ground for multiple attacks against Israel, including a 2014 rocket attack that resulted in a nearly 2-month war between the rivals.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu in his first address to the nation since the attacks said “We are at war and we will win”. Various political parties in Israel have agreed to form a unity government, further empowering Netanyahu’s administration to take action in this war.
After the initial wave of attacks by Hamas, Israel retaliated with what they refer to as ‘precision strikes’, despite the many civilian buildings struck by these same strikes, resulting in more than 10,000 civilian deaths.
On Oct. 11, four days after Hamas’ land assault, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had reclaimed all territory that was invaded.
In response to the war many have taken to the streets to protest. 300,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in Washington D.C. calling on Biden not to approve funding to Israel.
Islamic officials have called for ‘days of rage’ that have sparked protests in the Middle East and US alike.
The US has stood with Israel through this conflict by dispatching two carrier strike groups to the region, pledging more military and monetary aid, and even having President Biden visit in the midst of combat.
Days after the war began Israel called on Palestinians in north Gaza to evacuate. The United Nations warns that this will displace 1.1 million civilians, causing a humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli counteroffensive is now in full swing. Gaza City has been encircled by Israeli forces despite calls from international leaders including Joe Biden for “humanitarian pauses” according to the New York Times.
Despite its seemingly unrelenting support for Israel, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has met with Israeli leaders to push for these “humanitarian pauses”.
Humanitarian aid has begun to trickle into Gaza. The United Nations says it is still not enough.
Military actions have taken place outside of Gaza and Israel. Hezbollah, a terrorist organization based in Lebanon, a nation north of Israel has had off and on skirmishes with the IDF. Stoking fears of a widening war with US involvement.
