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Background and Current Escalation
Crisis between Israel and Palestine is historically grounded with major issues of the conflict being
territory, ethnicity and statehood. This conflict has historical background which can be linked to the
nationalism in the Jews and the Arabs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The tensions steeped up
considerably after creation of Israel in 1948 and later wars that resulted in mass displacement and
territorial changes. Earlier, Oslo Accords in the 1990s offered a chance at the two-state solution, but
neither has come to fruition.
In the recent past, aggression has increased, most specifically in Gaza, where the IDF has launched
numerous attacks on Hamas’ key figures and installations. These attacks have led to very nasty fights,
destruction, and loss of many people’s lives.
Recent Developments
Israeli Operations
The IDF continues its activity in Gaza with the aim to weaken Hamas’s military potentials. Other
important events are the assassination of Salame Barake, the Hamas military leader. Other structures
that have been attacked by the Israelis include those belonging to Al-Noor group which funds Hamas.
These actions are meant to interdict the organization’s operational and financial spokes.
Hamas Response
As a response, Hamas and other militants have fired many rockets into Israel and affected many
areas and raised civilian alarms. Hezbollah, a militant group in Lebanon, has also targeted and
fired rockets at the northern part of the Israel hence compounding the conflict and testing the
Israeli defence.
Casualties and Damage
Palestinian Casualties
This conflict has led to high causalities among Palestinian with over three thousand seven hundred
Palestinians killed. In Gaza, the damage is significant with homes, schools, hospitals and other parts of
infrastructure being blown up that increases the suffering. This has led to displacement of thousands
more which has also heightened the demand for humanitarian assistance.
Israeli Impact
While many rockets have been intercepted by the Iron Dome in Israel, there are collapsed buildings and
other infrastructure damages mostly in the northern region. The threat of rocket attacks has impacted
the daily routine of Israelis, and people feel unsafe and concerned about their lives and well-being. The economic effects can also be seen in the fact that the property and infrastructure losses can cost
millions of dollars.
Main Purpose and Goals
Israeli Objectives
As for Israel, its primary objective is to demilitarize Hamas to prevent future acts of terror and ensure a
stable security situation. This includes the assassination of Hamas leaders, blasting the arsenal, and
disabling operational structures. The longer-term goal is to establish the conditions that will prevent
further attacks and ensure the security of the Israeli population.
Palestinian Objectives
To Palestinians the conflict is about self-determination, defending territory and assertion, and demand for
statehood and citizenship. These tactics can be viewed in the light of defiance to what Hamas perceives as illegal occupation. The main objective of the group is to reclaim Palestinians’ sovereignty and fight against Israel’s rule
over their territories. Thus, the struggle for independence and the fight against the occupation and other
perceived injustices propel Hamas and other militant organizations.
Diplomatic Efforts and Challenges
Some of the activities that occur involve major world players like Egypt and the United States in the process of trying to negotiate a ceasefire. Discussion is mostly cantered on ceasing the violence and reopening the Rafah border for Gaza’s plight. However, the sustenance of the peace is often not easily attained because the root of the conflict is often historical enmity. Previous attempts at negotiation, like the Oslo Accords, have failed, which means
that people are sceptical of any upcoming peace talks. It entails that both parties have firm stances that cannot easily be negotiated, where Israel holds onto the security while Palestinians demand the ownership and recognition of their rights.
Conclusion
The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to be one of the most withstanding conflicts of the
modern world. The current escalation clearly underlines the need for sustainable and
comprehensive peace solution that will meet both the humanitarian requirements in the region
and the political ambitions of Israelis and Palestinians.
These include global players, which are essential in mediation and delivery of assistance. But
sustainable peace comes along with compromise and willingness to maintain peace on the two
sides of the conflict. Despite the obstacles and threats to the peace process, the only way to
cease the violence and gain a long-term settlement is to continue the negotiations.
