Understanding the Conflict: Israel's Ongoing Battle with Hamas

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are engaged in a deadly conflict that has claimed numerous lives and led to a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Israeli military launched an offensive on the Palestinian enclave in response to a brutal assault by Hamas militants on October 7. This attack, described as the largest terrorist attack in the country's history, resulted in the killing of over 1,400 people and the taking of more than 200 hostages by gunmen, according to Israeli authorities.

In its retaliation, Israel has implemented a fierce campaign involving airstrikes, naval operations, and ground forces in Gaza. Additionally, a complete siege has been imposed on the territory in order to weaken its Hamas rulers.

According to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah, the conflict in Gaza has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, causing the loss of over 10,000 lives. The situation is dire for the more than 2 million Palestinians who reside in the region as they are trapped without vital provisions and have no means of escaping the bombings by Israel.

In reaction to this crisis, various aid organizations, Arab nations, and the United Nations have consistently appealed for a ceasefire to facilitate the provision of essential resources such as food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities.

Israel has so far shown no signs of scaling back its military operation, which is only widening, as it vows to eliminate Hamas once and for all.

Heres what we know about the war.

In Jerusalem on November 6, friends and relatives of the Israeli hostages, who were snatched by Palestinian militants on October 7 and are presently being detained in the Gaza Strip, gather outside Israel's parliament. They carry placards displaying their loved ones' portraits, urging the government to take immediate action for their safe return.

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

How did the conflict start?

During an operation known as "Al-Aqsa Storm," Hamas launched numerous rockets towards Israeli towns on October 7. They then breached the heavily fortified border fence with Israel, allowing militants to penetrate deep into Israeli territory.

Once inside, armed individuals targeted both civilians and soldiers, and captured over 200 hostages, including a significant number of foreign nationals. These attacks were unique in terms of their tactics and magnitude. Since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Israel has not encountered such threats within its own borders, and it has never experienced a terrorist attack of this scale resulting in the loss of numerous civilian lives.

How did Israel react?

In an effort to eliminate Hamas, Israel initiated "Operation Swords of Iron." This operation involved imposing a comprehensive blockade on Gaza, preventing the entry of essential resources such as food, water, and fuel. Additionally, Israel launched a successful ground offensive, which led to its troops entering the enclave and effectively dividing it into two separate parts.

During the bombardment, Israel advised Gaza residents to evacuate their homes in the northern areas and relocate to the south. This was done as Israeli troops aimed to surround Gaza City, which they referred to as the "fortress of Hamas' terrorist activities."

Conversely, human rights organizations have criticized Israel's evacuation order, arguing that it may violate international law. Additionally, CNN has recorded incidents where Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli attacks in proximity to the evacuation zones.

In the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man embraces his injured child while seeking medical assistance at Al-Najjar Hospital on October 30.

Abed Rahim Khatib/picture-alliance/dpa/AP

What is Hamas?

Hamas is an Islamist organization that formed in 1987 as the military wing of the non-violent Sunni Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, which was established in Egypt in the late 1920s.

Like other Palestinian factions and political parties, Hamas holds the belief that Israel is an occupying force and seeks to free the Palestinian territories. Over time, it has carried out numerous attacks on Israel, resulting in its classification as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and Israel.

Hamas stands apart from other Palestinian factions by refusing to communicate or acknowledge the existence of Israel. It vehemently opposed the Oslo Accords in 1993, a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that brought an end to armed resistance by the PLO in exchange for the promise of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. These Accords also established the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Since taking control of Gaza in 2007, Hamas has positioned itself as an alternative to the PA.

Israel held control over Gaza from 1967 until 2005, when it unilaterally pulled out its military and settlers. However, it maintained authority over the region's sea, airspace, and land crossings. Majority of Gaza's population are descendants of refugees who were either displaced or compelled to leave their homes in present-day Israel. This enclave stands as one of the most densely populated areas globally.

Palestinian Hamas members in Gaza City ride an armored vehicle seized from Fatah, a rival Palestinian political party, during a celebration rally in June 2007.

Abid Katib/Getty Images

What is the situation in Gaza?

Israel and Egypt previously enforced a blockade on Gaza, regulating the movement of people and goods in and out of the region. However, Israel has recently intensified the blockade, prohibiting the entry of essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel. This harsh measure, denounced by the United Nations as "collective punishment," has resulted in severe shortages and the imminent depletion of power as fuel reserves dwindle. Consequently, hospitals lack the necessary resources to effectively treat the injured amid Israel's ongoing bombardment. Healthcare professionals are forced to perform surgeries without anesthesia, and maternity and postnatal care services are nearly non-existent. As the water infrastructure collapses, some residents of Gaza are left with no choice but to consume contaminated and saline water. This alarming situation has raised concerns regarding a potential health crisis and the risk of dehydration-related fatalities.

The number of internally displaced individuals in Gaza has surpassed 1.4 million, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Over 500,000 individuals are currently seeking shelter in UNRWA facilities designed to accommodate one-third of this number.

Thousands of supporters and families of kidnapped hostages gather at the Family of Hostages Square outside HaKirya in Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 4, 2023, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the safe release of the Israeli hostages.

Israel's war in Gaza is facing growing global opposition, leaving many Israelis perplexed by the reasons behind it. Numerous civilians have sought refuge in hospitals and other non-military establishments, only to discover that they have become targets of Israeli attacks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a total of 102 recorded attacks on health care facilities in Gaza since October 7. Israel claims to be targeting Hamas members in the area, alleging that Hamas is utilizing civilian areas and civilians themselves as human shields. The Gazan health ministry has confirmed that over 4,100 children have lost their lives in the enclave.

The enclave has been described by the UN as "a graveyard for children."

An aerial view of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the Jabalya camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City, on October 11.

Yahya Hassouna/AFP/Getty Images

What is the Rafah crossing?

Israel has shut its two border crossings with Gaza. And with aid desperately needed, the only route for its entry into the territory is through the Rafah Crossing with Egypt.

The Rafah border crossing is the only point of entry and exit between Gaza and Egypt. It is located along an 8-mile (12.8-kilometer) fence, acting as a barrier between Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula. This crossing has played a vital role in facilitating the transportation of aid and the evacuation of injured Palestinians during past conflicts with Israel.

Following intense negotiations, the opening of the crossing was eventually granted after more than three weeks since the start of the war. This development permitted a limited number of wounded Palestinians and foreign nationals to exit Gaza. Consequently, aid trucks have commenced their entry into the enclave, albeit in extremely limited quantities.

How has the international community reacted to the war?

Despite facing criticism and worldwide protests calling for a ceasefire, the US has continued to show significant support for Israel's operations in Gaza during the war. Arab leaders have strongly opposed the alleged plans of expelling Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and those in the West Bank to Jordan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that Israel will maintain "overall security responsibility" in Gaza indefinitely after the war, despite US President Joe Biden deeming it a "mistake." Additionally, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, and other Hamas allies in the region have cautioned Israel and the US against persisting with their airstrikes on Gaza.

Amid increasing numbers of fatalities and global condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Biden administration has been cautioning Israel that its backing for the devastation in the territory is waning.

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What will it take for de-escalation?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his government opposes a temporary ceasefire in Gaza unless Hamas releases all the hostages it currently holds. Furthermore, he asserts that the blockade on fuel entering the strip will persist. However, Netanyahu has expressed willingness to consider brief pauses. It should be noted that Israel has accused Hamas of stockpiling and redirecting fuel, although CNN cannot independently verify the quantity of fuel in the enclave.

Qatar, an ally of the United States and with diplomatic relations with Hamas, has been actively involved in negotiating the release of hostages and facilitating the evacuation of foreign nationals from Gaza.

Through the combined efforts of Qatar and Egypt, four hostages - including two Israelis and two American-Israelis - have been successfully liberated.

Black smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, a Lebanese border village with Israel in southern Lebanon, on November 4.

Hussein Malla/AP

How likely is this war to escalate into a regional conflict?

The Hamas attack has raised concerns about the potential spread of the conflict throughout the region, including the potential involvement of Hezbollah from Lebanon and Iran, which is considered Israel's primary adversary.

The United States has issued warnings to regional actors, urging them not to become entangled in the war and specifically calling on Iran and its proxies to avoid escalating the situation.

A guided missile submarine has arrived in the Middle East as a show of deterrence to regional adversaries, according to the US military. In addition, the Pentagon has recently deployed a second carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and dispatched Air Force fighter jets to the area.

Iran, a supporter of Hamas, has denied any involvement in the October 7 attack. However, they have expressed moral support for the "anti-Israel resistance," including Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed militias.

On Israel's northern border, Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has been engaged in a series of firefights since the start of the Gaza war. Nevertheless, these conflicts have remained limited to the border regions.

Moreover, there have been recent clashes in Syria and Iraq, where Iran-backed militias have carried out numerous drone strikes against US military personnel. In addition, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have tried to launch an aerial assault on Israel, which the Israeli military successfully foiled.

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah stated in a speech on November 3 that his main objective was to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of the US to implement the cessation of hostilities. This indicates that Nasrallah's immediate plans do not involve expanding the conflict. This report received contributions from CNN journalists Abbas Al Lawati, Mohammed Abdelbary, Kevin Liptak, MJ Lee, Natasha Bertrand, Priscilla Alvarez, Jennifer Hansler, Xiaofei Xu, Tamara Qiblawi, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman, Ibrahim Dahman, Akanksha Sharma, and Mostafa Salem.