Israel-Hamas conflict

Israel-Hamas conflict 

Important for Prelims Exams:

Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, Operation: Al-Aqsa Flood, Swords of Iron

Important for Mains Exams:

Arab–Israeli War (1948), Hamas–Israel conflict

October 10, 2023

Why in news:

  • Recently, Palestinian fighters have crossed the Gaza Patti and started suicide attacks on Southern Israel. These attacks seem to raise the possibility of war between West Asian and Western countries.
  • The name of this operation launched by Hamas against Israel is 'Al-Aqsa Flood'. At the same time, Israel's army has started 'Swords of Iron' operation against Hamas.
  • Currently the supporting countries of Israel are: USA, Yemen, European Union, Germany, India, Ukraine and France etc.
  • The supporting countries of Palestine are: Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan etc.

Israel-Palestine conflict

Background

  • The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the most complex and sensitive issues in the world. Due to this dispute, both sides had to face violence, displacement and suffering. Both Israelis and Palestinians have deep historical and cultural ties to this land and both have their own grievances.
  • This dispute is more than 100 years old. After defeating the Ottoman Empire in World War I, Britain established its control over this part of West Asia, known as Palestine. At that time Israel did not exist and the area from the West Bank to the Gaza Patti was part of Palestine. This entire area was under the control of Jews and Arabs.
  • Britain liberated Palestine in 1948. This year Jewish leaders announced the establishment of Israel. Which was strongly opposed by the Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries.
  • In this sequence, Israel was established on May 14, 1948. With the formation of Israel, a local tension turned into a territorial dispute. The very next day Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq attacked the area. This was the first Arab-Israeli conflict. This war ended with Israel's victory in 1949. The territory was divided into three parts: Jewish Israel, the Arab West Bank, and the Gaza Patti.
  • Currently in this region of the Middle East, there is dispute over areas like West Bank, Gaza Patti and Golan Heights. Palestine claims these areas, including East Jerusalem. At the same time, Israel accepts its rights over Jerusalem.

About the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights:

West Bank:

  • The West Bank is located between Israel and Jordan.
  • The West Bank is a landlocked region in Western Asia. It also includes a significant part of the western Dead Sea. Currently it is under the control of Israel.
  • One of its major cities is Ramallah which is also the de facto administrative capital of Palestine.
  • Currently there are Israeli settlements with Palestinians in the West Bank.
  • Masafar Yatta is 60% of the West Bank region occupied by the Israelis.

Gaza Patti:

  • The Gaza Strip is a 6-10 km wide and 45 km long area located in the south-west of Israel. It is a small region situated between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea, which is also known as one of the most densely populated areas in the world.
  • Israel controls it on three sides and Egypt controls it on the south. Although Israel has only two land sides, its territorial waters in the Mediterranean Sea to the west is controlled by Israel.
  • Since 2007, the Gaza Strip is ruled by the militant Islamic group Hamas.

Golan Heights:

  • The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau of 1,800 square km, located in south-western Syria, on the border between Israel and Syria. This area is important from economic point of view. Currently it is under the control of Israel.

About Hamas Organization:

  • ‘Hamas’ is an Arabic word, which means: Enthusiasm
  • The full name of Hamas is: Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Islamic Resistance Movement).
  • Hamas is a Palestinian Islamic extremist group, which operates from the Gaza Patti.
  • In December 1987, the organization was established in Gaza as the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.
  • The immediate objective of this organization was to combat Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
  • Currently the head of this organization is: Ismail Haniyeh (since 2017).
  • Its goal under the 1988 charter: to establish an independent Islamic state in the West Bank and Gaza Patti.
  • Hamas receives funding and weapons from countries like Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • Hamas is helped in terrorist attacks by the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah.
  • The first suicide bombing by Hamas was in 1993.
  • In 1997, the United States declared Hamas a foreign terrorist organization.

Major causes of conflict:

  • Political issues: Palestine wants to establish an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Patti.
  • Cultural and religious issues: Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site after Mecca and Medina. It is built in the complex of Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount). This is the second oldest mosque in the world. 4 lakh people can pray together in this mosque. This mosque has always been controversial, because the Jews claim it to be their temple.

Impact of Conflict:

Global

  • Due to instability in the politics of West Asia, the common people there are facing heinous problems like rape, theft, starvation and murder.
  • Violent activities are increasing rapidly in the West Asian region and this is increasing the possibility of new terrorist organizations being formed in the future.
  • Refugee crisis has also arisen in the West Asian region. Not only these two countries, but other nearby countries have also been affected by this refugee crisis.
  • This conflict not only indicates violation of human rights, but it is also giving rise to unemployment, social instability etc.
  • Internationally, there is a growing fear that this violent conflict could lead to factionalism on a global scale.
  • International organizations like United Nations Organization and IMF are proving ineffective in stopping this conflict.

India

  • Currently, India is the third largest trade partner in Asia for Israel. Not only are the political relations between India and Israel good, but their trade relations are also very strong. In case of a long-term war, the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine may have a negative impact on the Indian economy.

Investment:

  • Israeli companies have manifold investments in India. Indian businessmen have made large investments in Israel. Sometimes Indian companies do business in Israel. Veteran Indian businessman Gautam Adani has a big investment there. A deal worth $1.18 billion has been signed between Adani Port and Gadot regarding Haifa Port, Israel's largest port.

Import-Export:

  • Israel's trade with India is more than 10 billion dollars. Exports are 8.5 billion dollars and imports are 2.3 billion dollars.
  • India buys pearls, diamonds-jewellery, fertilizers, electronics components and crude oil from Israel. Whereas India sells diamonds, jewellery, consumer electronics and engineering. India's import-export will be affected.

Crude Oil Supply:

  • The biggest impact of this war may be on the supply of crude oil. Due to disruption in the supply of crude oil, oil prices will start increasing in the country.
  • India is the biggest buyer of arms from Israel.

Way Forward

  • Israel and Palestine, along with major countries of the world, should take appropriate steps to solve this problem.
  • Various international organizations should make efforts to stop this conflict to protect the human rights of the people living in this area and provide them a better life.
  • Various big powers of the world should avoid politicizing this issue because doing politics on such issues ultimately destroys humanity.
  • Israel and Palestine should understand that violence and terrorism cannot be the solution to any problem. All parties related to this conflict should keep in mind that even the most complex problems of the world can be solved through peace talks, hence both sides should show wisdom and move towards a peaceful solution.

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Main Exam Questions

Highlighting the various aspects of the Israel-Hamas conflict, write down measures to resolve it.