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By Gurmail Singh

Israel-Hamas Conflict, Ceasefires, and Millions of Deaths Over 77 Years

The foundation of the Israel-Hamas conflict was laid before the start of the 20th century. In the 19th century, increasing persecution of Jews in Europe (anti-Semitism) and pogroms (violent attacks) pushed Jews toward demanding their own nation. However, upon gaining statehood, Israel captured more territory (78% of Palestine) than allocated under the UN Partition Plan, which became a cause of conflict between both sides.

SNPNEWS.IN News Update (Gurmail Kamboj): The roots of the Israel-Hamas conflict were established before the 20th century. In the 19th century, Jews in Europe faced extreme oppression, leading them to demand a separate and secure nation.

Theodor Herzl, considered the father of Zionism, wrote Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State) in 1896 and organized the First Zionist Congress in 1897. His goal was to establish a secure nation for Jews in Palestine (then part of the Ottoman Empire), considered the historic homeland of the Jews.

In 1917, during World War I, Britain supported the establishment of a “national home” for Jews in Palestine through the Balfour Declaration. This increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, but the Arab population began opposing it.

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1920, Palestine came under British rule. During this period, tensions between Jewish and Arab communities escalated, leading to Arab revolts in 1920, 1929, and 1936–39.

During World War II, Nazi Germany killed 6 million Jews, further strengthening the Jewish demand for an independent nation. On November 29, 1947, the United Nations passed Resolution 181, proposing the partition of Palestine into two independent states (one Jewish and one Arab), with Jerusalem as an international city. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but Arab leaders rejected it, sparking a civil war.

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On May 14, 1948, with the end of the British Mandate, David Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s independence. The United States and the Soviet Union immediately recognized it. The next day, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq attacked Israel. This war, called the “War of Independence” in Israel and “Nakba” (catastrophe) by Palestinians, resulted in Israel capturing 78% of Palestine, more than allocated in the UN plan. Over 700,000 Palestinians were displaced, becoming refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The war ended in 1949 with armistice agreements, but no Palestinian state was established.

After the war, conflicts between Jews and Palestinians became frequent. With support from the US and the Soviet Union, Israel progressed rapidly economically and militarily. It began oppressing Palestinians excessively, leading to the establishment of Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya) in 1987 in the Gaza Strip as a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas initiated a struggle against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Initially, Hamas gained support through social services (schools, hospitals) and later resorted to armed resistance.

From 1987 to 1993, Hamas began targeting Israeli civilians and soldiers, reigniting tensions between the two communities. Israel labeled Hamas a terrorist organization. In 1993, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel signed the Oslo Accords, establishing the Palestinian Authority (PA). Hamas opposed the accords, as they recognized Israel and ignored Hamas’s goal of eliminating Israel.

Between 1993 and 2000, Hamas carried out suicide bombings in Israeli cities (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem), targeting civilians, resulting in hundreds of deaths. In response, Israel began targeting Hamas leaders.

After 2000, the failure of the PLO-Israel agreements and a visit by Israeli leader Ariel Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque sparked anger among Palestinians. Hamas intensified suicide bombings and rocket attacks. During this period, Israel launched major military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, resulting in approximately 3,000 Palestinian and 1,000 Israeli deaths.

In 2005, Israel withdrew its military posts and settlements from the Gaza Strip (Gaza Disengagement Plan). Hamas claimed this as a victory, but Israel retained control over Gaza’s borders, sea, and airspace. In 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative elections and formed a government in Gaza, increasing tensions with the PLO.

In 2007, Hamas expelled the PLO from Gaza, gaining full control. Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, causing economic and humanitarian crises. In response to Hamas’s rocket attacks, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead (2008–09), a major air and ground assault on Gaza, killing 1,400 Palestinians (mostly civilians) and 13 Israelis.

Ongoing conflicts between the two sides led to further Israeli military operations, including Operation Pillar of Defense (2012) and Operation Protective Edge (2014), the latter in response to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. These operations resulted in 2,420 Palestinian deaths (including 551 children) and 79 Israeli deaths (67 soldiers).

During the Great March of Return (2018–19), Palestinians held large protests at the Gaza border, clashing with Israeli forces. This led to 223 Palestinian deaths and thousands injured. In May 2021, tensions escalated due to Israeli police actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the eviction of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. Hamas fired rockets, and Israel responded with airstrikes, resulting in 256 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths.

The most significant conflict began on October 7, 2023, with Hamas launching its deadliest attack on Israeli civilians, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel began large-scale air and ground attacks on Gaza on October 8. This war resulted in 68,172 Palestinian deaths (including 20,000 children), 1,983 Israeli deaths, 145,870 serious injuries, and millions displaced. The conflict caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with 78% of buildings damaged and 10% of the population affected, according to the UN.

On October 10, 2025, a ceasefire was implemented through the mediation of US President Donald Trump. Hamas released 20 living hostages, and Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners. Israel partially lifted the blockade and withdrew some forces from Gaza, but negotiations for lasting peace continue. This deal is based on Trump’s 20-point plan, which includes Hamas disarming and discussions on Gaza’s political future.

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