Unveiling the Intense Conflict: Inside Israel's Battle with Hamas

Relief groups are urgently appealing for humanitarian aid to be delivered to the Gaza Strip, which the United Nations describes as being under a suffocating siege imposed by Israel.

As resources decline and the Israeli military continues its relentless bombardment, tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are facing dire shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. In response to recent attacks by Hamas that left over 1,400 casualties in Israel, the Israeli military issued a late-week directive, instructing all civilians in Gaza City to evacuate to the south.

There is also mounting worry that any further escalation could potentially involve Israel's regional adversaries in the ongoing conflict. The diplomatic initiatives are becoming more vigorous as Egypt is being urged to establish a humanitarian passageway via the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. This is considered the only feasible means of facilitating the evacuation of individuals from the enclave and ensuring the delivery of essential supplies.

At the Rafah border crossing, a CNN employee observed the arrival of five UN fuel trucks into Gaza on Monday afternoon. This marks the first instance of fuel truck entry since the attacks by Hamas in Israel on October 7. However, there is no indication of any broader aid convoy being permitted. Concurrently, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is engaged in a frantic shuttle mission across the region with the aim of preventing further escalation of the war.

Israels assault has killed at least 2,750 people and injured more than 9,700 in Gaza, Palestinian officials say.

Heres what we know so far.

What happened?

On October 7, militants from Gaza launched a barrage of rockets toward various Israeli towns. They further breached the heavily fortified border fence with Israel, allowing their militants to infiltrate deep into Israeli territory. In this operation, Hamas gunmen, as confirmed by Israeli authorities, were responsible for the deaths of over 1,400 individuals, which consisted of both civilians and soldiers. Moreover, they also took 199 hostages.

The tactics and scale of these attacks were unprecedented for Israel, as it had not engaged in street battles on its own territory since the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Furthermore, Israel had never experienced a terror attack of this magnitude, resulting in the loss of numerous civilian lives. Although Hamas had previously kidnapped Israelis, this was the first time they had taken dozens of hostages simultaneously, including children and the elderly.

Hamas named this operation "Al-Aqsa Storm" and claimed that it was in response to what they perceived as Israeli aggression towards women, the desecration of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and the ongoing blockade of Gaza.

How has Israel responded?

Following the assault, Israel has proclaimed a state of war and initiated "Operation Swords of Iron," conducting targeted strikes on what it claims to be Hamas and Islamic Jihad strongholds in Gaza. Furthermore, it has implemented restrictions on the distribution of essential provisions to the populace in Gaza, encompassing fuel and water supply lines.

From October 7 to 12, Israel launched a total of 6,000 bombs on the heavily populated region - an equivalent number to the airstrikes carried out on Gaza throughout the entire 50-day Gaza-Israel conflict in 2014. The IDF has urged civilians in Gaza to evacuate their residential areas promptly for their own security, however, some individuals argue that there is no safe destination to seek refuge. All exit points from Gaza have been closed.

Israel's response is further complicated by the presence of hostages held by Hamas, who have alleged that some of them were killed due to Israeli bombings in the enclave. However, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this claim. Consequently, Israel has imposed a "complete siege" on Gaza, obstructing the provision of vital resources such as electricity, food, fuel, and water until the hostages are released.

On Friday, Israels military told the 1.1 million people in northern Gaza to evacuate their homes immediately, suggesting that a ground invasion was imminent.

Whats the situation in Gaza now?

A humanitarian crisis in Gaza is rapidly spiraling amid warnings that people are at risk of starvation as Israel tightens its chokehold on the territory.

The Gaza Strip, encompassing a 140-square-mile territory, is among the most densely populated areas in the world, accommodating around 2 million individuals. Since Hamas assumed control in 2007, the enclave has endured a blockade imposed by Israel on air, sea, and land routes, along with a land blockade by Egypt, which persists to this day.

The power station in the enclaves ceased operations last week, leading to a potential fuel shortage in hospitals. The International Committee of the Red Cross has issued a warning that without power, these facilities are at risk of becoming morgues. The UN reports that airstrikes have caused significant damage to 88 education facilities and resulted in the untimely deaths of at least 12 UN personnel.

Palestinians who fled their houses amid Israeli strikes shelter at a United Nations-run school in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday.

Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters

Gazans are running out of time as Israel's evacuation deadline looms, with the streets reeking of blood. Human rights groups have expressed concern about potential war crimes being committed in Gaza, with Amnesty International specifically calling on Israel to immediately lift its blockade on the enclave. They argue that the collective punishment of civilians in response to Hamas terrorism is in itself a war crime.

Israel's closure of its two crossings with Gaza has effectively made the Rafah Crossing the sole means for Palestinians and aid to enter or exit the territory. Unfortunately, this passage remains closed, causing delays for international assistance currently held at the Egyptian border. In response, Hamas has issued a directive urging Gazans to remain at home, alleging Israel's evacuation calls as a form of "psychological warfare." Hamas asserts that displacement and exile are not options they are willing to entertain.

What is Hamas?

Hamas, an Islamist group established in 1987, originated from the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt in the late 1920s.

The group, like most Palestinian factions and political parties, asserts that Israel is an occupying power, working towards the liberation of Palestinian territories. It views Israel as an illegitimate state and advocates for its downfall.

Unlike certain other Palestinian factions, Hamas rejects any form of engagement with Israel. In 1993, it voiced opposition to the Oslo Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which involved the PLO renouncing armed resistance in exchange for pledges of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Additionally, the Accords established the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Rockets are fired from Gaza City towards Israel on Saturday.

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images

What is Hamas and why is it attacking Israel now?

Hamas portrays itself as a viable option to the Palestinian Authority (PA), who has acknowledged Israel and attempted numerous failed peace initiatives with them. Under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, the credibility of the PA has declined among Palestinians.

Throughout the years, Hamas has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on Israel and has been labeled as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, and Israel. Israel alleges that Hamas receives support from its adversary, Iran.

How did the two sides get here?

Gaza, the narrow land strip along the borders of Israel and Egypt, has been under the control of Hamas, undergoing several transfers of power in the past 70 years. The majority of its population consists of individuals who are descendants of refugees from the 1948 expulsion, when they were compelled to leave their homes, which are now located in modern-day Israel.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have persisted since before Israel's establishment in 1948, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries over the years. However, the level of violence witnessed this year has been exceptionally high. The number of Palestinians, including militants and civilians, who have been killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of the year is the highest it has been in almost twenty years. Similarly, the number of Israelis and foreigners, primarily civilians, who have lost their lives in Palestinian attacks is also at its highest in nearly two decades.

Israel took control of Gaza from Egypt during the 1967 war. However, it withdrew its troops and settlers from the region in 2005. Following a brief civil war with Fatah, a rival Palestinian faction, in 2007, Hamas gained control over Gaza. This resulted in both Israel and Egypt imposing a strict siege on the territory, which continues to this day. Additionally, Israel maintains an air and naval blockade on Gaza.

Human Rights Watch has described the territory as an "open-air prison," where over fifty percent of its inhabitants endure poverty and face food insecurity. Additionally, nearly eighty percent of the population depends on humanitarian aid for sustenance.

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The history of Gaza in 2 minutes

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CNN reports that Hamas and Israel have engaged in multiple conflicts, with the most recent being in 2021. This particular operation lasted for 11 days and resulted in the tragic loss of at least 250 lives in Gaza and 13 lives in Israel.

Saturdays attack took place almost exactly 50 years after the 1973 war, when Israel's Arab neighbors launched a surprise assault on Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in the Jewish calendar, on October 6, 1973.

What happens next?

Israel is currently in a state of high military readiness, with over 300,000 reservists positioned along the Gaza border in preparation for a potential ground operation. The intention is to impose severe consequences on Hamas for their attack and to secure the safe return of Israeli hostages from the area. Historical experiences with hostage situations have been on a smaller scale, often involving demands for the release of prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for captured Israelis. In a notable instance from 2011, Israel released over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of one kidnapped soldier.

Hamas has said that it is ready "for all options, including a war and an escalation on all levels," including a ground invasion.

Could this lead to a wider regional conflict?

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan issued a cautionary statement on Sunday regarding the potential for a broader regional conflict in the Middle East.

Simultaneously, Blinken embarked on a diplomatic mission to Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, and Bahrain, with the aim of averting any further escalation.

US President Joe Biden has canceled his scheduled trip to Colorado at the last minute in order to prioritize meetings with his national security team amidst escalating tensions. Additionally, Biden has been invited by Israel to engage in discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with both parties currently contemplating the visit, as per a reliable source informed CNN.

Biden has delivered a strong caution to Iran regarding their actions in the region, emphasizing the need for caution.

Although a direct connection between Iran and the attack has not been confirmed, Israel and the US assert that the Islamic Republic is the main supporter of the Palestinian group.

A man runs on a road as fire burns after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip, in Ashkelon, Israel October 7, 2023.

Amir Cohen/Reuters

US intel agencies hunt for evidence of Iranian role in Hamas attack on Israel

Iran has refuted any involvement in the attack and cautioned Israel against targeting its allies in Lebanon. Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran and deemed a terrorist organization by both the US and Israel, has been embroiled in clashes with Israel since the onset of the Gaza war. These confrontations, however, have been limited to the border regions between the two countries.

Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian emphasized that the security of Lebanon is intertwined with Iran's security. He added that if Israel persisted in committing "war crimes" in Gaza, it is likely that a new front would open against Israel.

The US has deployed two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean Sea and is bolstering its fighter jet presence in the region to discourage potential aggression from Iran or any escalation of conflict beyond Israel's borders. Israel has stated its preparedness to engage in warfare across multiple fronts.

Contributions from CNN's team of reporters Hadas Gold, Richard Allen Greene, Amir Tal, Ibrahim Dahman, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khaddar, Mostafa Salem, Hamdi Alkhshali, Mia Alberti, Elliott Gotkine, Oren Liebermann, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Eyad Kourdi, and Celine Alkhaldi.