Issue #1
Hamas Attack on Israel By Declan Carroll ‘27 and Will Sandor ‘27
On Saturday, the 7th of October, Hamas, a Sunni Islamist terrorist organization currently governing the Gaza Strip, unleashed a barrage of rockets on Southern Israel. They then launched an incursion into Israel, which overran dozens of towns and killed many civilians, including children. During the attacks by Hamas, terrorists were able to occupy part of Southern Israel but have now been pushed out. Unfortunately, while occupying this area, Hamas was able to kill and kidnap many Israelis. During the attack, armed parachutists raided a music festival. The Israeli government said the death toll had risen to 1,200, with only 169 being Israeli soldiers. They also estimate that 150 people have been kidnapped and are being held hostage in Gaza, some of whom are U.S. citizens. In exchange for these hostages, Hamas wants 5,200 prisoners allegedly in Israeli prisons released. It has been widely reported and confirmed that Hamas committed atrocities during the attack, including burning women and children and killing entire families. Israel has reacted by vowing to destroy Hamas; they have sent air strikes and are engaging ground forces. Israel has deployed 300,000 reservists and 170,000 current
military personnel, and has begun an invasion of Gaza itself. They have also cut resources going to Gaza, including food, water, fuel, and electricity, and they have stated that this will continue until the hostages are released. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has warned Gazans of upcoming airstrikes and has instructed citizens of Gaza City to flee south. Some Gazan citizens have been trying to flee, but many cannot leave Gaza City because of the ongoing conflict. Israel says they are making their best attempt at targeting Hamas and has accused Hamas of using Gazans as human shields, while Hamas blames Israel for the death of Gazans. So far, airstrikes have killed over 10,000 Palestinians, injuring and leaving homeless many thousands more. These strikes have included residential areas, schools, and hospitals. President Biden has asked for efforts to provide Gaza with food, water, electricity, and medical care while expressing his disgust for the Hamas attacks. He also reiterated that Hamas does not reflect the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. The attack on Israel was the deadliest in Israel’s history. Israel has one of the best intelligence agencies called the Mossad,
which has been able to gather intelligence on upcoming attacks. The Mossad was formed in 1949 due to concerns raised about neighboring countries, and since the Yom Kippur War, it has been formidable in the realm of intelligence. Although the Israelis have had an eye in the sky, the attacks by Hamas were unforeseen. Leading up to these attacks, Israel, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia were negotiating a deal to normalize relations. The agreement aims to create regional stability and alleviate tensions between Middle Eastern countries. The attacks on Israel raise serious questions about whether Iran may have played a part in organizing the assault. This, along with concerns that Hezbollah will attack the North of Israel, has led President Biden to order a carrier strike group, which includes the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent. The escalating violence between Israel and Hamas has raised tensions in the Middle East exponentially and may affect the region's politics for years to come.