The BFD | What You Need to Know About Israel’s War Against Hamas

Elliot Mathias

Elliot Mathias is Aish’s Chief Operating Officer for Global Activities, as well as Executive Director of Aish New York. Elliot is also the founder of Hasbara Fellowships, a program he created while studying at Aish in Jerusalem, Hasbara Fellowships grew under his leadership to become one of the premier campus Israel advocacy organizations in North America, training and supporting thousands of students to stand up for Israel.

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Answers to commonly asked questions.

The startling attack on Israel that was launched this past Saturday morning was the deadliest attack in the history of modern Israel.

As of Tuesday October 10^th, Israeli media is reporting approximately 900 Israelis were murdered and over 2,500 hospitalized¹. Additionally, more than 150 Israelis were captured and taken back into Gaza, where they are being held hostage. The vast majority of Israeli casualties were civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.²

Who was behind the attack? Who is Hamas?

The attack was carried out by Hamas, the ruling entity of the Gaza Strip, which sits on Israeli’s western border. The Gaza Strip also borders Egypt.

Hamas won Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 – the last time elections were held. In 2007 they fought a bloody campaign against their Palestinian rival Fatah, taking full control of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas was founded in 1987³ as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, sharing its Islamist ideology. The founding charter of Hamas calls for Israel’s destruction and a main priority of Hamas is to pursue an armed struggle against Israel. Hamas has violently opposed peace negotiations such as the Oslo peace accords negotiated by Israel and the PLO in the mid-1990s.

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, Canada, Egypt and Japan⁴.

Why did Hamas attack Israel?

Hamas has stated that they carried out its attack “in response to atrocities that Palestinians have faced over decades”⁵. Since 2006, Hamas has initiated at least 8 military conflicts with Israel, but none as large scale and lethal as what occurred this week.

Many believe that recent developments in the Middle East sparked Hamas’ attack. This includes recent discussions between Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations which Hamas is vehemently opposed to. A major Arab country like Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel would diametrically oppose Hamas’s stated goal to destroy Israel. By attacking Israel and provoking Israel to take military action to defend herself, Arab countries like Saudi Arabia are put in a difficult political situation and make normalizing relations with Israel remote.

Additionally, Hamas is backed by Iran, which has openly called for the destruction of Israel. News outlets have reported that Iran helped organize the attack and gave the green light to Hamas at a meeting in Beirut the week before.⁶

How could Hamas pull this off?

Many in Israel and around the world are wondering how Hamas could pull off such a devastating attack on Israel. Under constant attacks since its inception by her enemies, Israel has proven to have a strong defensive military, fueled by innovative, cutting-edge technology.

Israel has said that a full investigation will take place after security is restored and those injured are cared for. But immediate reports clearly indicate Israel was not aware of or prepared for this attack.

Once reason is the timing of the attack which took place on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. Reports have said that many Israeli soldiers were allowed to go home to celebrate with their families, which is common for holidays since all Israelis are drafted into the army.

Another potential reason is that Hamas did not act alone. As stated, Iran has supported Hamas financially and militarily and most likely was involved in the planning and carrying out of the attack. The potential for cyber warfare which may have inhibited Israel’s surveillance is a possibility.

Finally, the attack shows that Hamas is not a harmless group of thugs throwing rocks and using crude weapons. They are a fully weaponized militia with rocket launchers, automatic weapons, and missiles. They have the capability to inflict deadly attacks on Israeli military, police, and civilians.

What has been Israel’s response?

Israel’s initial response was to repel the Hamas terrorists who had entered Israel. After three days of intense fighting, Israel has regained control of the south and is now turning their attention to attacking Hamas in Gaza. Israel has announced that they expect a long and protracted war as they aim to destroy Hamas’s military capabilities.

Israel has attacked a large number of Hamas strongholds in Gaza and they have mobilized over 300,000 reserve soldiers⁷. A ground invasion of Gaza seems imminent.

Complicating Israel’s response are the Israeli civilian hostages being held in Gaza. While the Israeli government is determined to defeat Hamas and provide protection for its millions of citizens, it can’t abandon these captured Israeli citizens.

Additionally, Israel has had to respond to incursions into Israeli territory on its northern border with Lebanon. Hezbollah has launched rockets and artillery into Israel “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people.⁸

Why are some people blaming Israel?

While the overwhelming majority of international leaders have publicly condemned Hamas and vocalized support for Israel, some media outlets and other organizations have blamed Israel for the attack.⁹

They have claimed that Hamas’ attack was a response to Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. Specifically, they point to Israel’s refusal to grant the Palestinians their independence, as well as Israel’s military actions against the Palestinians.

First, it must be stated unequivocally that no political grievance EVER justifies the murder and kidnapping of innocent people. Children and elderly civilians have been targeted and are amongst the casualties. This is plain evil and even Amnesty International which is known for being critical of Israel has stated that Hamas has committed war crimes.

Second, history has shown that Israel has made many attempts to live peacefully with the Palestinians, offering them independence multiple times including through the Oslo Accords in 1993¹⁰ and the Camp David Summit in 2000. Additionally, Israel unilaterally removed any military or civilian presence from Gaza in 2005, giving the Palestinians full control of that territory for the past 18 years.

Finally, while unfortunately many innocent Palestinians have lost their lives or been injured during the many battles between Hamas and Israel, that has never been Israel’s intention. A fundamental difference between Hamas and Israel is that Hamas intentionally targets innocent Israeli civilians and puts Palestinian civilians in harm’s way. Israel defends its own civilians and targets Hamas terrorists who hide behind Palestinian civilians, which has caused inadvertent casualties.

What are international leaders saying?

There has been widespread international condemnation of Hamas’ attack on Israel. Statements include:¹¹

US President Joe Biden:

“The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza,” Biden said. “I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people,” Biden wrote. “The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation.”

French President Emmanuel Macron:

“France stands in solidarity with Israel and the Israelis, committed to their security and their right to defend themselves.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak:

“The scenes we have seen in Israel over the last 36 hours are truly horrifying.” Sunak said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to assure him of the U.K.’s steadfast support as Israel defends itself against these attacks,” adding that “terrorism will not prevail.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

Trudeau said his country condemned the “terrorist attacks against Israel.” “These acts of violence are completely unacceptable,” he wrote. “We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky:

“In the face of such a terrorist strike, everyone who values life must stand in solidarity. Our position is crystal clear,” he said. “Anyone who causes terror and death anywhere on the planet must be held accountable.” “The same evil, and the only difference is that there is a terrorist organization that attacked Israel, and here is a terrorist state that attacked Ukraine,” Zelensky says in a video address to a NATO parliamentary assembly in Copenhagen.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who has Palestinian ancestry:

“The best thing that could happen to the Palestinian people is for Hamas to completely disappear. Those savage beasts do not represent the Palestinians,” Bukele says on the social network X. “Anyone who supports the Palestinian cause would make a great mistake siding with those criminals.” He also compared Hamas to the MS-13 gang, which has terrorized El Salvador for years.