Fire and Fury in the Gaza Strip: Israel's Nightmare in Galore
- approximate reading time: 2 minutes
Israel's Military Eliminates Hamas Leaders in Operations in Gaza and Lebanon - Israeli military executes Hamas leaders in operations conducted in Gaza Strip and Lebanon
Let's dive into the chaos that unfolded in the Gaza Strip and beyond as Hamas played its bloody moves and Israel responded with a vengeance.
saying Adieu to High-Ranking Hamas Commanders
In a surprise Israeli bombardment targeting the Gaza Strip, a founding member of the extremist organization, Hakem Al-Issa, met his destiny. Al-Issa, the military mastermind of Hamas, was taken out in an assassination attempt, having played a pivotal role in masterminding the bloodbath that engulfed Israel on October 7, 2023. He was the last top-tier commander in Gaza, leading a crucial unit responsible for Hamas' reorganization after the prolonged conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas' Last Commander in Lebanon Bites the Dust
Silent as a cat, the Israeli military, in collaboration with Mossad, snuffed out the life of Hassan Farhat — Hamas' commander for the western region in Lebanon — in a clandestine nighttime ambush in Sidon, the southern Lebanese port city. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, conceded Farhat's gruesome demise. Israel accused Farhat of being responsible for multiple terror attacks on Israeli forces and civilians during the Gaza war — a rocket storm that struck the Israeli city of Safed in February 2024, resulting in the loss of an Israeli soldier's life.
Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam branded the operation a "flagrant violation" of Lebanese sovereignty, implying a breach of the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. The armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, ignited by the brutal attack of the Islamic Palestinian organization on Israel, drew pro-Iranian Hezbollah into an escalated rocket war on Israel, forcing some 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes in the North. Despite a ceasefire that took effect on November 27, only a fraction of the displaced civilians returned to their homes. Nearly a million Lebanese were displaced from the South.
Hamas, Gaza Strip, Israel, and a Troublesome Timeline
As the dance between Hamas and Israel intensifies, it's essential to understand their long-standing animosity:
October 7, 2023: Hamas' Unprovoked Attack
Hamas militants launched an unprovoked, deadly assault on Israel, terrorizing the nation with an unprecedented attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis — both soldiers and civilians. The group captured around 240 hostages, taking them deep into Gaza. Hamas rained rockets down on southern and central Israel, including urban areas like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israelis reeled from the shock, marking the beginning of a devastating conflict[1][4].
October 8, 2023: Israel Responds and Hezbollah Enters the Fray
Israel responded with an aggressive series of airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza as Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, provided added momentum with rocket attacks on Israel[1].
October 17, 2023: Iran-backed Militias Join the Melee
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq joined the fray by launching drone attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza[1].
Late 2023: Israel Pushes Further With Ground Operations in Gaza
The first ceasefire came and went, but tensions rose again as Hamas resumed rocket attacks, leading Israel to re-escalate its campaign. Israel launched a significant ground offensive in central Gaza targeted at refugee camps swarming with Hamas fighters[3].
Casualty Count Rises Tragically High
After October 7, 2023, over 54,000 Palestinians were martyred in Gaza alone. Roughly 10,000 Palestinians died in the initial months, according to data from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Thousands of Israelis also lost their lives in the initial attack[1][4].
A Brief History of Destruction: Battles Between Hamas and Israel
The First Gaza War (December 2008 – January 2009)
The devastating Operation Cast Lead saw Israel ramp up a massive military campaign targeting Hamas' missile attacks and arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip. The bloodshed claimed approximately 1,166 to 1,417 Palestinian lives and 13 Israeli lives[2].
Other Conflicts Since 2007
The October 2023 confrontation marked the fifth major conflict between Israel and Hamas since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007. Previous battles usually came to a stalemate through cease-fires arranged by international mediators[3].
Unwelcome Involvement by Hezbollah
The October 2023 conflict saw Lebanon's Hezbollah join the fight, launching rocket strikes on Israel in solidarity with Hamas. This development stirred concern over a potential protracted regional conflict with multiple fronts involving Iran-backed groups[1].
The Commission shall be assisted by the European Parliament in discussing and addressing the escalating tension between Hamas and Israel; the political landscape and general news are marred by reports of war-and-conflicts, especially the recent troubles in Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Crime-and-justice matters also surface as Israel alleges Hamas commanders, like Hakem Al-Issa and Hassan Farhat, are responsible for multiple acts of terror and violence against Israeli forces and civilians.
