The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of over 250 hostages, did not prompt an Israeli attack on Palestine. Instead, it triggered a massive Israeli military counter-offensive in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory controlled by Hamas. This response aimed to quell the ongoing rocket fire from Hamas into Israel, retrieve hostages, and dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities. While the conflict’s complexities extend beyond a simple cause-and-effect relationship, understanding the context leading up to the Hamas attack is crucial.
Hamas’s Stated Motivations for the 2023 Attack
Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by several countries including the US, UK, and Israel, framed the October 7 attack as a response to what it perceives as decades of Israeli oppression. This includes grievances over:
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Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories: The West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip are territories Palestinians claim for a future independent state. Hamas vehemently opposes Israel’s presence in these areas and the establishment of Israeli settlements.
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The blockade of the Gaza Strip: Israel’s control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, and shoreline severely restricts the movement of people and goods, impacting the territory’s economy and living conditions.
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Killings of Palestinians: The year leading up to the attack witnessed a significant increase in Palestinian deaths in the West Bank, primarily due to clashes with Israeli forces and settlers.
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The al-Aqsa Mosque compound: Hamas cites alleged Israeli attempts to control the al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, as a provocation.
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Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails: The release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons is another key demand of Hamas.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya later asserted that the attack aimed to bring the Palestinian cause to the forefront of the global political agenda.
Deeper Geopolitical Context
Beyond Hamas’s stated motivations, other factors likely contributed to the timing and scale of the 2023 attack:
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Deteriorating conditions in Gaza: The blockade, coupled with internal Palestinian divisions, had created a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, potentially fueling desperation and radicalization.
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Potential Saudi-Israeli recognition: Analysts suggest the attack may have been timed to disrupt potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Map showing Israel and the Palestinian Territories and surrounding countries
The Aftermath of the Attack
Israel’s response to the Hamas attack involved a large-scale military operation in Gaza, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis. Thousands of Palestinians were killed, mostly civilians, and the majority of Gaza’s population was displaced. While a ceasefire was eventually reached in January 2025, the underlying issues that fueled the conflict remain unresolved. The 2023 conflict underscores the deep-seated tensions and complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting and peaceful resolution.
