Israel vs. Hamas: Tracing the Decades of Struggle

 

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been an enduring part of the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Hamas, an Islamic militant group that formed in 1987 at the beginning of the First Intifada, has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 and continues to oppose Israel's right to exist. Israel considers Hamas a terrorist organization and has implemented strict control measures over Gaza, leading to severe economic distress and hardship for Gazans. Tensions have erupted into outright armed conflicts on several occasions, worsening conditions for civilians caught in the crossfire. Despite attempts at ceasefires and negotiations, Israel and Hamas remain locked in an intractable struggle driven by decades of complex history, competing claims over land, and cycles of violence.

Background of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The current issues between Israel and Hamas cannot be understood separately from the wider context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This conflict originated with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, after which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled or fled their homes. Palestinians demanded the creation of their own state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War. Decades of peace talks have failed, while Israel has maintained military occupation of Palestinian territories. This fueled Palestinian uprisings called intifadas, the first starting in 1987. It was in this charged context that Hamas emerged, calling for armed resistance and rejection of Israel.

The Founding and Ideology of Hamas

Hamas was established at the start of the First Intifada as an offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. Its founding charter called for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state in its place. Hamas rejects peace talks and negotiations, instead embracing violence and terror tactics against Israeli civilians and military targets. Suicide bombings of Israeli buses and other attacks especially intensified during the Second Intifada from 2000-2005. For its part, Israel designates Hamas as a terrorist organization, refusing to recognize or negotiate with the group. Hamas also provides social services and charitable aid to Palestinians in Gaza, giving it a dual militant and social character.

Rise of Hamas in Gaza

In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew troops and settlements from the Gaza Strip, while maintaining control of Gaza’s borders, coastline, and airspace. Hamas participated in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, winning a surprise majority and taking over governance of Gaza in 2007 after a conflict with rival Palestinian party Fatah. Israel immediately imposed a blockade on Gaza, citing security concerns given Hamas’ terror attacks. The blockade has crippled Gaza’s economy, causing shortages of food, medicine, water, and electricity for the densely packed territory’s 2 million inhabitants. Hamas has tried to break the blockade using rocket attacks and smuggling tunnels, while also taxing Gazan imports and exports.

Israeli Military Operations and Armed Conflicts with Hamas

Israel has conducted several major military operations in Gaza in response to Hamas rocket fire into Israeli communities near the border. In the 2008-2009 Gaza War, Israel responded to rockets with a 3-week bombing campaign and ground invasion aimed at Hamas’ military infrastructure. Between 1,400-2,200 Palestinians died, provoking international outcry. Similar dynamics played out in the 2012 and 2014 Gaza conflicts, albeit with fewer casualties. In May 2021, another round of fighting killed over 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis. Hamas has fired thousands of rockets indiscriminately into Israel, while Israel argues its airstrikes target militants and weapons sites. Large numbers of Palestinian civilians have nevertheless been killed in Israeli bombing.

The Ongoing Struggle and Failed Peace Efforts

Israel still tightly controls Gaza’s borders, coast, and airspace, citing security threats from Hamas and weapons smuggling. Egypt also imposes restrictions on its Gaza border. The blockade makes rebuilding after wartime destruction and developing Gaza’s economy extremely difficult. Israel and Hamas have reached informal ceasefire and deescalation arrangements after conflicts end. However, both reject formally recognizing each other. Peace talks sponsored by Egypt and other third parties have broken down over disagreements about easing the blockade, prisoner exchanges, Hamas disarmament, and other issues. With neither side willing to significantly compromise, violent escalations periodically reoccur. The divide seems likely to persist as long as the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved.

Conclusion

The bitter struggle between Israel and Hamas has brought pain and devastation for countless civilians. With origins going back decades, the conflict is deeply entangled in the wider context of Palestinian dispossession and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Moving beyond the cycle of rocket attacks, airstrikes, and destruction will require addressing these fundamental roots. As things stand now, however, compromise remains elusive. Leaders on both sides continue to take hardline positions, ensuring that this tragic and complex conflict remains an ongoing reality. Genuine peace can only come through empathy, negotiation, and above all a will for reconciliation on both sides.