The Israel Palestine conflict from 1947 to today, conflict between Israel and Palestine, History of Israel and Palestine
In a momentous change of events, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke with India’s past backing for the Palestinian cause by expressing steadfast support for Israel in the midst of a deadly dispute with Hamas. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, contacted PM Modi, according to PM Modi, to give him an update on the ongoing situation, which has resulted in the deaths of over 1,600 people.
PM Modi’s appreciation
“I appreciate Prime Minister @netanyahu’s call and his update on the current situation. India’s populace heartily supports Israel in this trying time. India vehemently and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations, Prime Minister Modi stated in a social media post, emphasising India’s support for Israel.
Divided Governance: The division between the West Bank and Gaza Strip is a unique political aspect of the conflict. The West Bank is controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA), dominated by Fatah, while the Gaza Strip is under the rule of Hamas. This division adds a layer of complexity to potential negotiations and peace efforts.
This assertion carries weight since, while historically supporting the Palestinian cause, India has grown closer to Israel in recent years. Additionally, the action fits with India’s desire to take on a bigger role in the Middle East. India’s diplomatic juggling act in the region, considering its historical ties to Palestine, is made more difficult.
Hamas Attack on Israel on October 7
The continuing battle between Israel and Hamas experienced a major escalation on October 7, 2023. Thousands of missiles were fired into Israel by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip around morning. In addition to being persistent, these assaults succeeded in getting past Israel’s famous Iron Dome defence system. Fear and chaos were disseminated among Israeli citizens by the bombardment of rockets that made it as far inland as Jerusalem.
Status of Jerusalem: The status of Jerusalem, claimed as the capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, is a major point of contention. The city's holy sites, like the Al-Aqsa Mosque, are central to the conflict, and the international community remains divided on how to resolve the issue.
Hundreds of Hamas militants broke through the border barrier between the Gaza Strip and Israel at several sites in a coordinated attack. Their assaults resulted in several violent assaults, kidnappings, and murders of Israelis, mostly in border towns.
The crisis took an especially horrific turn when it was alleged that Hamas terrorists slaughtered over 100 people at the kibbutz of Beeri. The Islamic State (ISIS) perpetrated crimes while it controlled sizable portions of Syria and Iraq, and the horrific nature of these acts stunned the international community.
Israel-Palestine Conflict: Recent Escalation and Historical Background
In a significant escalation of the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on the morning of October 7, 2023. Thousands of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, breaking through even the formidable Iron Dome defense system. This assault marked a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict and prompted a swift and forceful response from Israel.
Historical Background of the Conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict has its roots in the rising Jewish immigration to Palestine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which sparked conflicts between Jewish settlers and the local Arab population. The major historical turning points of the fight include:
During World War I, the British government supported the formation of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, as stated in the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
Violence resulted from the 1947 United Nations partition plan, which called for the separation of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab governments. Jewish officials approved of the plan, while Arab leaders rejected it. The establishment of Israel’s statehood in 1948 and the subsequent conflict with surrounding Arab nations, which resulted in the eviction of hundreds of thousands of Palestines.
The arrival of the Islamist group Hamas during the First Intifada in the late 1980s marked the beginning of the modern Israel-Hamas conflict. The war has gone through several stages throughout the years, including the Oslo Accords and the Second Intifada. When Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 and forcibly took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, the situation worsened. Gaza was under an Israeli siege, which raised humanitarian issues and created economic hardship.
There have been considerable losses on both sides in a number of important confrontations, notably Operation Cast Lead (2008–2009), Operation Pillar of Defence (2012), and Operation Protective Edge (2014). Israeli policy in Jerusalem caused tensions to rise in 2021, sparking a new wave of fighting and international efforts to mediate a ceasefire.
Israel and Hamas’ Ongoing Conflict
When Hamas launched its unexpected strike on October 7, 2023, the present escalation got underway. In response, Israel launched ferocious bombings on Gaza and gathered its forces for a future ground invasion. Both sides have suffered hundreds of casualties, and Gaza has suffered significant damage as a result of the fighting.
Key Places Linked to the Conflict
The Al Aqsa Mosque is a sacred building to Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Muslims refer to it as Haram al-Sharif, and Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount. It is situated in Jerusalem’s Old City.
After Israel was founded in 1948, families of Palestinians were forcibly relocated to the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
West Bank: Currently a point of conflict, this region was taken by Jordan in 1948 and later annexed by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Gaza Strip: Israel unilaterally ended its occupation of the region in 2005, but it currently maintains control over entry points.
The Golan Heights were taken from Syria by Israel in the 1967 war, and they became a part of Israel in 1981.
Repercussions of the Conflict on India
Trade Relations: India’s defence readiness may be impacted by Israel’s trade policies, particularly in the area of defence technology.
Diplomatic difficulties: It might be harder for India to maintain a balanced stance with Israel and the Arab countries.
Economic and Strategic connections: Projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, as well as India’s economic and strategic connections with the Middle East, may be affected.
Energy Supply: India’s energy imports from the Middle East may be impacted by any unrest there.
Welfare of Indian Expatriates: It is crucial to ensure the safety of Indian citizens employed in the Middle East.
India’s Stand and Potential Solutions
India has always backed the Palestinian cause while also cooperating with Israel in a number of ways. India supports the Quartet and other international organisations in sponsoring peace talks and promotes discourse and diplomacy as a means of resolving the conflict.
The two-state, one-state, confederation, and international trusteeship models are potential resolutions to the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, resolving the disagreement will be extremely difficult due to its underlying complexity.
The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to be a significant worldwide problem, with consequences for countries like India and the larger international community in addition to the Middle East.