The temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip ended on 1 December, and fierce clashes resumed between the two sides. According to the health department of the Gaza Strip, at least 184 people were killed and 589 injured in Israeli airstrikes that day, mostly women and children. The Israeli side has also suffered heavy losses, with at least 150 people killed, more than 1,800 wounded, and dozens of Israelis taken hostage into the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants, according to Israeli medical authorities. This is the largest Israeli-Palestinian conflict in many years and the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Hamas launched a raid.
Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organization by countries such as Israel and the United States. Hamas does not recognize the existence of Israel and advocates the liberation of all Palestinian territory by force. The conflict between Hamas and Israel has a long history, with wars breaking out on several occasions. In May 2021, a 10-day war between the two sides in the Gaza Strip killed a total of about 250 people on both sides, most of them Palestinians. The war was triggered by Israel's raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The war ended with the mediation of Egypt and other countries, and the two sides reached a fragile ceasefire agreement.
However, this ceasefire agreement did not solve the underlying problems, but only temporarily eased tensions. During the ceasefire, Israel continued to impose a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip, restricting the movement of people and goods, leading to an exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Israel has also launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip from time to time in response to rocket attacks by Hamas or other militant groups. In the West Bank, Israel has also stepped up its repression against Palestinians, often carrying out raids, raids and military operations, resulting in many Palestinian deaths and injuries. All these incidents have intensified the hostility and hatred between Palestine and Israel and sowed the seeds for a new round of conflict.
On 1 December, Hamas launched a raid on an unprecedented scale, breaking the ceasefire and breaking Israel's defenses. Hamas reportedly began firing thousands of rockets in the morning, striking targets as far away as Tel Aviv and the outskirts of Jerusalem. Although Israel has an advanced "Iron Dome" missile defense system, there are still rockets that hit targets, causing damage to people and property. About an hour after the first round of rocket attacks, Hamas militants entered Israel by land, sea and air, triggering the first fierce fighting between Israeli and Afghan forces on Israeli soil in decades. Militants infiltrated 22 Israeli towns and military bases and took civilians and soldiers hostage, many of whom were taken back to Gaza. At least 250 Israelis had been killed and more than 1,400 injured as of Saturday evening, according to official reports.
Mohamed Dave, the leader of Hamas's military faction, said in a recorded message that the group had decided to launch an "operation" in order to "make it clear to the enemy that their era of impunity and impunity is over." He cited Israel's occupation of the West Bank in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, the recent Israeli raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and the large number of Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is revered by Muslims as a "holy al-Sharif" and by Jews as the "Temple Mount," and it is one of Jerusalem's most controversial historical sites.
Israel retaliated.
The sneak attack disgraced Israel's proud intelligence system and caused unprecedented fear and anger among Israelis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address on Saturday that "we are at war and we will win this war" and announced the call-up of Israeli reservists. Tank units have been sent to the south, fueling speculation that Israel may send ground troops to Gaza. The northern border has been strengthened, and soldiers are still fighting on Sunday, trying to drive away militants who have infiltrated some communities in the south. Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Gaza, and the Israeli military said the airstrikes destroyed strongholds of Hamas militants. According to Palestinian**, the sites attacked included a hospital, as well as several multi-storey buildings, homes and a mosque.
Israel's retaliation has not brought Hamas to its knees, but has provoked greater resistance. Hamas continues to fire rockets at Israel and even threatens to attack Israel's nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure. Hamas has also called on other Palestinian armed groups and Arab countries to join in the resistance to Israel. Earlier Sunday, Lebanese Allah forces announced rocket and mortar strikes on three Israeli positions at the Israeli-occupied Saba Anon farm in a show of support for the Palestinian cause. The conflict could also evolve into a broader regional conflict involving countries such as Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia.