What is happening in Israel?

Hamas’ largest attack in 50 years

This Saturday, the Palestinian group running the Gaza Strip launched the largest attack on Israel in 50 years. A massive and coordinated early-morning assault on southern Israel led Hamas’ militants infiltrating 22 Israeli towns and army bases. They kidnapped civilians and soldiers and fired rockets towards core cities, such as Jerusalem. In the latest hours, the target was Israel’s central heartland, including Tel Aviv. This was the response to Israeli attempt to liberate the cities and retaliate with huge strikes on Gazan territory.

The massive attack perpetrated by the Palestinian militants was unexpected. Many civilians remained inside their homes, seeking refuge, while hearing sirens, explosions, or gunshots. Overall, at least 230 people have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded, as declared by the Health Ministry. In the meantime, the Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Hamas that a “grave mistake” was made in launching the attack. From the military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed to the nation stating that “we are at war. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price.”

In response, Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, announced that the rocket fire was the start of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.” He urged all Palestinians to confront Israel, declaring “this is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on Earth”. These words refer also to the 16-year-long blockade of the poor coastal enclave of Gaza, perpetrated by Israel and neighboring Egypt. Imports in the region are restricted and people are prevented from leaving the area.

The Aqsa Mosque compound

The military wing of the Hamas, Al Qassam Brigades, declared this Saturday’s attack as an operation “in defense of the Aqsa Mosque.” It referred to a dispute around a site known as sacred to both Muslims and Jews. The compound is the holiest in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam. Indeed, according to Islamic scripture, the Prophet Muhammad traveled from Mecca to the mosque in one night. He prayed and then ascended to heaven.

Historically, Israel took control of East Jerusalem and the Old City, in which the Aqsa Mosque founds its place, during the Arab Israeli War of 1967. Formally, these territories were annexed to the country, but most nations consider it a mere occupied territory. Nevertheless, Israeli security forces maintain a presence on the mosque’s site. Thus, even if Jews and Christians can visit, for years people could not pray there. It was a measure introduced to prevent any possible clashes.

More recently, however, the Israeli police have quietly allowed Jews to pray on the holy area, and Israeli religious nationalists have increasingly considered going to the site appropriate. This has long been a critical territory. To understand the matter, it is sufficient to mention that the yearslong second Palestinian intifada took place after a visit in 2000 by Ariel Sharon. Back then, he was the Israel’s right-wing opposition leader. In recent years, in May 2021, Israeli raids on the mosque compound contributed to the beginning of the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas.

Of course, to explain the reasons for this latest massive attack, it is also fundamental to take a broader picture into consideration. Shortly, not only the Aqsa Mosque is involved. In his speech, Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif referred also to Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past years, the increasing attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian, or the growth of settlements themselves.

Israeli reaction

According to Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant’s communications office a “special security situation” was expanded to the entirety of the country’s territory. This way, Israel Defense Force (IDF) can more easily provide security instructions to civilians and close public sites. People living in Gaza have been urged to leave their residential areas for their safety, as Israeli military operations continue to target Hamas.

At the same time, the IDF communicated to the CNN that the number of Israeli nationals captured by Hamas has no precedents. They have been taken across Gaza and their fate is highly uncertain. In this regard, IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus declared that “Israeli Defense Force will be focused on getting each and every Israeli back,” even if we refer to “unprecedented numbers” that will require an “unprecedented response from Israel.”

However, it is true that Israel’s military have been caught off-guard, even if the country could technically rely on sophisticated technology and on one of the world’s most impressive armed forces, with a premier intelligence agency. “The entire system failed. It’s not just one component. It’s the entire defense architecture that evidently failed to provide the necessary defense for Israeli civilians”, said Conricus.

Israeli authorities will certainly look at the system’s failures. Nevertheless, they have not yet released figures on how many of the more than 2,000 Hamas rockets were intercepted. Similarly, there is still no commentary on the border fence, or on the possible intelligence failure.

International reactions

A huge international response came after Hamas’ attack this Saturday. The Arab League urged an “immediate halt to military operations in Gaza and the cycle of armed confrontation between the two sides.” However, Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit also declared that “Israel’s continued implementation of violent and extremist policies is a time bomb depriving the region of any serious opportunity for stability in the foreseeable future.” Also, the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah issued a statement communicating that it was in “direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance.” It added that the events were a “decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation and a message to those seeking normalization with the country”

Meanwhile, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the rocket fire against Israel, which “has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks”. Similarly, the US is likely to announce new support to the allied nation. American and Israeli officials have been working throughout the entire day to identify areas in which Washington could be of assistance. The goal is to better prepare Israel to respond to future related attacks.

Sources I was inspired by to write this article:

• Israel retaliation kills 230 Palestinians after Hamas operation, published by Al Jazeera
• World reaction to surprise attack by Palestinian Hamas on Israel, published by Al Jazeera
• Israel retaliation kills 230 Palestinians after Hamas operation, published by Al Jazeera
• Israel says it is ‘at war’ after Hamas surprise attack, live updates published by CNN
• Here is what to know about the surprise attack on Israel, published by The New York Times
• The militants’ statement cited the Aqsa Mosque. Here’s why it matters, published by The New York Times

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