The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is a deeply entrenched and tragically violent dispute with roots stretching back over a century. Understanding Why Is Israel Attacking Palestine requires delving into the complex history of territorial claims, national aspirations, and political maneuvering that have fueled this protracted struggle. From major wars with regional powers to Palestinian uprisings and Israeli military responses, the consequences of this historical discord continue to reverberate, most acutely in the devastating cycles of violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Genesis of Israel: Palestine Before 1948
Prior to 1948, the region known as Palestine was under British control following the decline of the Ottoman Empire after World War One. This land was home to a diverse population, predominantly Arab, with a significant Jewish minority and other ethnic groups. Tensions began to escalate when the United Kingdom formally endorsed the concept of establishing a “national home” for Jewish people in Palestine through the Balfour Declaration. This pledge, while appealing to Jewish aspirations for self-determination rooted in historical ties to the land, directly clashed with the existing Palestinian Arab population’s own claims and national aspirations, who had inhabited the region for centuries. Although the British mandate stipulated the protection of the rights of existing Palestinian Arabs, the seeds of future conflict were sown.
Between the 1920s and 1940s, Jewish immigration to Palestine increased significantly. Many were refugees fleeing rising antisemitism and persecution in Europe. The horrors of the Holocaust, where six million Jews were systematically murdered, amplified the urgency for a secure haven. By 1947, the Jewish population in Palestine had grown to approximately 630,000, representing over 30% of the total population. Amidst escalating violence between Jewish and Arab communities and growing unrest against British rule, the United Nations (UN) proposed a partition plan in 1947. This plan called for dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem designated as an international city. Arab nations vehemently rejected the UN plan, arguing it disproportionately favored the Jewish population, granting them a larger share of land despite being a smaller demographic group at the time. Britain abstained from the vote and declared its intention to withdraw from Palestine, leaving the resolution of the increasingly intractable problem to the UN by May 14, 1948. Jewish leaders in Palestine declared the independent State of Israel just hours before the end of the British Mandate. Israel gained UN recognition the following year.
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War: A War of Independence and Displacement
The immediate aftermath of Israel’s declaration of independence saw the eruption of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The newly formed state was attacked by the armies of five Arab nations. For Israelis, this conflict is remembered as their War of Independence.
By the time armistice agreements were reached in 1949, Israel had expanded its control beyond the territories initially allocated in the UN partition plan. Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip, Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while West Jerusalem became part of Israel. A profound consequence of the 1948 war was the displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in the territory that became Israel. This event is known as the Nakba, or “Catastrophe,” in Arabic, and remains a central point of grievance and collective memory for Palestinians.
In the years following 1948, a reciprocal movement occurred as hundreds of thousands of Jews from across the Middle East and North Africa, many facing persecution and expulsion from Muslim-majority countries, emigrated to Israel.
The 1967 Six-Day War: Occupation and its Lasting Impact
The 1967 Six-Day War dramatically reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and had far-reaching consequences for Palestinians. Israel fought against a coalition of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. The war was initiated by Israel, fearing imminent attacks from Egypt and Syria, launching a preemptive strike against the Egyptian air force.
In just six days, Israel achieved a decisive victory, capturing the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, and East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan. This war resulted in approximately one million Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem coming under Israeli military occupation. This occupation continues to this day in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. While Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 and returned the Sinai Peninsula, it annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, unilaterally declaring them part of Israel – a move not recognized by most of the international community.
The West Bank: Settlements and the Stalled Peace Process
The West Bank, located between Israel and the Jordan River, is currently home to an estimated three million Palestinians. Together with East Jerusalem and Gaza, it constitutes what are internationally recognized as the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Palestinians have consistently opposed Israel’s presence in these territories, envisioning them as the core of a future independent Palestinian state – a position supported by the overwhelming majority of the international community. While Israel maintains overall control of the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority (PA), established in the 1990s, exercises limited governance over Palestinian towns and cities.
Adding to the complexity, there are approximately 150 Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing around 700,000 Jewish settlers. Palestinians demand the removal of all settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. However, the Israeli government disputes this, asserting the permanence of major settlement blocs and claiming historical rights to the land. Israel does not recognize the Palestinian right to statehood and views the West Bank as part of its historic homeland. Recent Israeli governments have actively pursued settlement expansion, further undermining the prospects of a negotiated two-state solution. In 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s highest court, declared Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and called for the withdrawal of settlers, citing breaches of international agreements on racism and apartheid.
Jerusalem: A Sacred City, A Divided Capital
Jerusalem holds immense religious and political significance for both Israelis and Palestinians, with both claiming it as their capital. Israel, having controlled West Jerusalem since 1948, occupied East Jerusalem in the 1967 war and subsequently declared the entire city its “eternal, undivided capital.” Palestinians, on the other hand, envision East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. East Jerusalem’s population is predominantly Palestinian, with a smaller number having acquired Israeli citizenship.
Central to the dispute are the holy sites located in Jerusalem, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound/Temple Mount in East Jerusalem, revered by both Muslims and Jews. The UN and the majority of the international community consider East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory.
Gaza Strip: Blockade, Hamas, and Recurring Conflict
The Gaza Strip, a narrow coastal territory bordering Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the most densely populated areas globally, home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians.
Even before the latest war, Gaza faced severe socioeconomic challenges, including high unemployment and widespread poverty, with a significant portion of the population reliant on humanitarian aid. Gaza’s boundaries were established after the 1948 war when it came under Egyptian control. Israel occupied Gaza during the 1967 war, establishing settlements and imposing military rule over the Palestinian population. In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza. However, it maintained control over Gaza’s airspace, sea access, and shared border, effectively controlling the movement of people and goods. The UN continues to consider Gaza as occupied territory due to Israel’s significant control.
Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, won Palestinian elections in 2006 and subsequently seized control of Gaza in 2007 after clashes with rival factions. In response, Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on Gaza, with Israel heavily restricting the entry of goods. This blockade, along with repeated military offensives, is a key factor in understanding why is Israel attacking Palestine, particularly Gaza. Israel argues these actions are necessary for security, citing rocket attacks and other hostile actions by Hamas and other groups in Gaza. Hamas views its actions as resistance to the occupation and blockade. Since 2008, there have been multiple major conflicts between Hamas and Israel (2008-09, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the current war initiated in 2023). Each conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, disproportionately affecting Palestinians in Gaza.
The immediate trigger for the current large-scale Israeli offensive was the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas fighters who breached the Gaza-Israel barrier, killing approximately 1,200 people in Israel and taking over 250 hostages.
Israel’s military response has been massive, resulting in a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As of mid-2024, over 46,700 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, the majority of whom are women and children. International humanitarian organizations have decried the immense suffering and called for an end to the conflict. While ceasefires and hostage release deals have been proposed and sometimes implemented temporarily, lasting peace remains elusive.
Palestinian Statehood and Refugees: Unresolved Core Issues
Despite widespread international recognition of the “State of Palestine” at the UN (though not as a full member state), and increasing recognition by individual countries, a truly independent Palestinian state alongside Israel has not been realized. Key obstacles include Israeli settlement expansion, the status of Jerusalem, and security concerns. The “two-state solution,” envisioning two independent states, remains the most widely supported framework for peace, but faces significant challenges and is rejected by elements on both sides.
The issue of Palestinian refugees, numbering around 5.9 million registered with the UN, also remains a core point of contention. These are descendants of Palestinians displaced in the 1948 war. Palestinians insist on the “right of return” for refugees, a demand rejected by Israel.
Conclusion
Why is Israel attacking Palestine? The answer is deeply rooted in a century-long history of competing claims to the same land, marked by wars, displacement, and unresolved grievances. The current violence is not an isolated event but a tragic chapter in a protracted conflict fueled by historical injustices, political deadlock, and a failure to address the fundamental issues of land, self-determination, and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Understanding the historical context is crucial to comprehending the complexities and seemingly intractable nature of this ongoing tragedy.
