What’s Going On With The Israel-Hamas War?

What is Hamas? 

Hamas is the ruling entity of the Gaza Strip, elected into power in 2006. It originated in 1987 as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and shares an Islamist ideology. The founding Charter of Hamas explicitly calls for Israel's destruction. Notably, Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, Canada, Egypt, and Japan.

Hamas’s Attack On Israel

On October 7th, as Israelis were wrapping up the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, the terrorist organization Hamas launched the deadliest attack in the history of modern Israel. Hamas executed a multi-pronged assault on Israel from the air, land, and sea. The repercussions were devastating, with more than 1400 Israelis killed, over 2500 hospitalized, and 200 people taken hostage. Tragically, the majority of the casualties were civilians, including women, children, babies, and the elderly.

What was Israel’s response?

In response to the Hamas attacks, Israel initially defended itself against the terrorists who entered its territory. After a few days of fighting, Israel redirected its efforts towards attacking Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli government's stated objective is to dismantle Hamas and prevent future attacks. Additionally, Israel is committed to freeing the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

What was the International Response?

While most world leaders have condemned Hamas and expressed support for Israel, some voices place blame on Israel, citing it as the cause of the conflict. They argue that Hamas's attacks are a response to Israel's treatment of Palestinians. However, it's essential to emphasize that no political grievance justifies the murder and kidnapping of innocent people. History shows that Israel has made numerous attempts to live peacefully with the Palestinians, including the Oslo Accord in 1993 and the Camp David Summit in 2000. Regrettably, these attempts were not reciprocated.

Israel’s Withdrawal and the Hamas Charter

It's crucial to note that Israel withdrew its entire military and civilian presence from Gaza in 2005, granting the Palestinians full control of the territory. This has been the case for the past 18 years. The core reason behind Hamas's attacks lies in its founding Charter, which aims to destroy Israel. Regrettably, Hamas has put its Palestinian population in harm's way by encouraging them to remain in conflict areas. Hamas knows that Israel will not indiscriminately kill innocent people, and they use civilians as shields. This cynical action exposes the immoral tactics employed by Hamas.

How You Can Support Israel

If you want to show support for Israel during this challenging time, here are some steps you can take:

1. Contact your local officials and companies, urging them to publicly support and provide assistance to Israel.
2. Make your voice heard in support of Israel.
3. Consider donating to organizations like Yad Eliezer, United Hatzalah, and others that are collecting supplies and clothing for Israeli soldiers and civilians.
4. Keep the missing civilians and soldiers, the wounded, and the families who have lost loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
5. Show your solidarity by proudly displaying symbols of Judaism, such as the Star of David or the Israeli flag.
6. Engage in acts of kindness and promote unity among people, increasing light in the world.

By taking these actions, you can contribute to supporting Israel during this challenging period.