Who started this war? Israel, Hamas? Why did you start it?
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for years and involves many complex factors. There are several advantages that may be seen in supporting one side, but it is important to consider the long-term impact of such actions. Supporting Israel can open the door to economic and political cooperation with many Western countries, as Israel is an important ally of these countries and has strong relations with the United States. Israel is a strong military power with advanced technology, and supporting Israel can help strengthen regional and global security. On the other hand, supporting Gaza can help improve the living conditions of its citizens and provide moral support. It can also help strengthen Palestine’s position in peace negotiations with Israel and promote a fair and sustainable solution to the conflict.
The first attack by Hamas broke out early on Saturday. The Palestinian faction launched a multi-branch attack around 6:30 a.m. local time. Hamas spokesperson Khaled Qadomi told Al Jazeera that the group carried out its military operation in response to the atrocities faced by Palestinians for decades. In addition, Israel is also known to have carried out several attacks in the Al-Aqsa Mosque area, which is a holy place for Muslims. "We want the international community to stop the atrocities in Gaza against the Palestinian people, our holy places like Al-Aqsa. All of these are the reasons behind the start of this battle," he said. Hamas also called on other groups to join the resistance and said that Saturday’s attack was just the beginning. They also offered social welfare programs to Palestinians who became victims of Israeli occupation. Hamas does not recognize the state of Israel, unlike the PLO which recognizes the existence of the Jewish state. Hamas accepts a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Hamas has been involved in many violent attacks against Israel, including the most recent one in October 2023.
The organization’s goal is to establish an Islamic state in the region and to destroy Israel. Hamas has a military wing known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades that has conducted many anti-Israel attacks in both Israel and the Palestinian territories since the 1990s. These attacks have included large-scale bombings against Israeli civilian targets, small-arms attacks, improvised roadside explosives, and rocket attacks. Hamas has been accused of using violence against civilians and for its tactics, including suicide bombings and rocket attacks. The organization has been designated as a terrorist group by the US Government and other countries. Hamas has been criticized for using Islam as a cover for its violent actions. Hamas has also been accused of diverting concrete meant for civilian and humanitarian purposes toward the construction of tunnels.Hamas launched a massive military operation into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. The attack was unprecedented and caught Israel by surprise. The reasons behind the scale and timing of the attack are complex and not straightforward. Hamas said the attack was retribution for what it described as attacks on women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the ongoing siege of Gaza. The policies of the far-right Israeli government enabling settler violence in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem led to a sense of desperation among Palestinians and growing demands for a reaction. The Hamas leadership felt compelled to act due to the acceleration of Arab-Israeli normalization. In recent years, this process further diminished the significance of the Palestinian issue for Arab leaders who became less keen on pressuring Israel on this matter. Hamas was emboldened after it managed to repair its ties with Iran. In recent years, the movement had to reconsider the political position it assumed in the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011, in opposition to Iran and its ally, the Syrian regime. Hamas and its Iranian backers wanted to disrupt the peace deal talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and conversations about U.S. security guarantees for Saudi Arabia. In all likelihood, a primary motivation for Hamas and Iran was a desire to disrupt that deal, because it threatened to isolate them.It is important to note that the full reasoning behind the attack is unlikely to be straightforward, and the situation is complex. However, it is crucial to remember that the conflict is very complex, and there is no easy solution. Supporting one side can worsen the situation and prolong the conflict. The best course of action is to find ways to stop the violence and promote dialogue and peace.
