What is the Israel War?
This article only focuses on the current conflict. However, Palestine and Israel have a long history of both conflict and co-existence. Readers are advised to read other sources for background information, if they so wish.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists from the region of Palestine entered the civil areas of Israel. They took over 200 people with them. (the official figure released by Israel is 251).
Hezbollah, a terror group based in Lebanon, supported this incursion into Israel.
Israel has, since then, been fighting to get the hostages back.
Some Important milestones
It was found that Hamas had built tunnels inside the Palestinian territory. Israel then started direct military action to rescue its hostages.
On 8th October, Hezbollah, a Lebanon based terror group that has the support of the Iranian government, started firing rockets at Israel.
October – November 2023: US, Egypt, and Qatar became mediators in the Israel – Palestine conflict. There was a short ceasefire and 50 hostages (most of them women, children, and foreign nationals) were released to Israel in return for 150 Hamas terrorists being released from Israeli prisons. The ceasefire (a state of no war) lasted four days.
In February 2024, Egypt, a neighbouring country, closed its border and sealed it to ensure that no Palestinians could cross over.
In July 2024, the Houthis, a terror group based in Yemen, fired rockets at Israel. Israel responded by starting military action against the Houthis.
As of August 2024, about 117 hostages had been released. Some of these releases were through Israel’s military action, and some through negotiations.
September 2024: The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed the UN Security Council and indicated that the war can end within a day if the hostages are released.
Who is supporting whom?
The US has pledged support to Israel. Yemen, Lebanon, and Iran side with Hamas. Palestinian civilians maintain that Hamas does not represent their will and is a terrorist organisation.
Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq have not joined the war. While Israel has made claims of Iraqi involvement, Iraq has denied that claim.
All other Arab countries have also not participated in the war. None of the Arab countries has taken any Palestinian civilians as refugees.
Some important events of October 2024
On October 1st, Israeli forces entered Lebanon to fight directly with the Hezbollah terror group – on land.
On the same day, Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. This was Israel’s first direct action in the war. Israel’s Iron Dome – its missile attack prevention system, is not as successful on ballistic missiles.
It is reported that this attack flattened an Israeli Air Force base. No confirmation is available from the Israeli side. The Iranian side has released images of the base.
In the first week of October 2024, it is believed that 97 hostages are still with Palestine. Israel has released a statement indicating that perhaps about 67 of these hostages can still be brought back.
On October 7, 2024, The Israel war completes one year.
Is there a plan for the release of the hostages?
At the time of writing this, there is no confirmed plan.