Beyond the Intifadas: A Conflict Without End

When Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, it did not grant freedom — it built a prison. The Strip, home to over two million people, was sealed off, its borders, airspace, and coastline controlled by Israel and, to the south, by Egypt. The Gaza Strip had impenetrable blockades on every side. Inside, chaos brewed. Hamas and Fatah, once united against a common enemy, turned on each other in a brutal civil war for power. By 2007, the war had ended and Hamas ruled Gaza, while Fatah retreated to the West Bank, splitting Palestinian leadership in two.

Israeli soldiers secure the Israel-Gaza border.

For years, Israel played its own game of divide and rule. It allowed billions of Qatari dollars to flow into Hamas’ hands, calculating that a fractured Palestine would be easier to control. Hamas, militant and religious, was seen as the lesser threat compared to Fatah, whose political aspirations for Palestinian statehood were a direct challenge to Israeli authority. The money funded governance, tunnels, weapons, and rocket stockpiles, all under the watchful eye of Israel, which believed it was outmaneuvering its enemies.

But in war, short-term victories often plant the seeds of long-term disaster. On October 7, 2023, that miscalculation erupted into fire. In an attack that would become the darkest day in Israel’s history, Hamas launched an assault that shattered illusions of control. Hundreds of Israelis were massacred, taken hostage, and cities were left burning. The response was swift and brutal. Gaza, already suffocating, became a graveyard. Bombs fell ceaselessly. Towers crumbled. Hospitals overflowed with the dead and the dying. The world watched in real time as entire families were erased, as children cried out from beneath rubble. In a digital age, no atrocity was hidden — this was war in full view, the most documented genocide in modern history.

On most comment sections on videos depicting the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, especially on Tiktok, there’s always someone trying to justify Israel’s actions by referring to October 7th. To be fair, many people out there are ignorant to the fact that this conflict has been going on for over 100 years. But, in the spirit of fairness, the conflict has to be understood in its entirety before making any judgements. Judging the Israeli-Palestinian conflict solely by the events of October 7th is like treating a fever without addressing the infection that caused it. You can condemn the symptom, but if you ignore the disease, it will only worsen.

This final installment in my chronicle of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict explores the key events, political shifts, and enduring struggles that have shaped the region from 2005 to the present. It traces the rise of Hamas, Israel’s evolving strategies, and the broader geopolitical consequences that continue to define this ongoing conflict.

The Last Elections to be Held in Gaza (2006)

The second and last General Elections in Gaza were held in 2006. Attempts to hold elections in 2010, 2014, 2021, and 2023 all failed due to political disputes, Israeli intervention, and concerns over legitimacy.

In January 2006, the Palestinian people went to the polls in what was supposed to be a milestone for democracy. Hamas emerged victorious — securing 74 out of 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. The ruling Fatah party, long the face of Palestinian politics, was left humiliated, securing only 45 seats.

Hamas supporters celebrate their victory in 2006.

The world had not expected this. Western powers, who had encouraged the election as a step toward Palestinian self-governance, now faced a dilemma. Hamas was already designated as a terrorist organization by several countries because they refused to recognize Israel, rejected past peace agreements, and maintained an armed wing that carried out attacks. This meant they could not legally provide funding or diplomatic support to a Hamas-led government. The response was swift — the U.S., the EU, and other international donors cut off aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA), pushing its institutions toward collapse.

In March 2006, Hamas formed a government without Fatah which refused to join a Hamas-led coalition. What followed was a bitter struggle for control. In Gaza and the West Bank, Fatah and Hamas supporters engaged in tit-for-tat assassinations, bombings, and street battles. Police stations, media offices, and government buildings became battlegrounds.

Fatah gunmen covering their escape after they kidnapped seven employees from a Hamas-run TV station in Nablus, in the West Bank.

But it was in June 2007 that the power struggle reached its bloody climax. Hamas launched a decisive military takeover of Gaza, storming Fatah compounds, seizing security installations, and executing rivals. The fighting was brutal and personal — men were thrown from rooftops, shot in the streets, and dragged from their homes in the dead of night. By the end of the battle, over 100 people were dead, and the once-united Palestinian territories were fractured beyond repair.

Hamas members in Gaza City ride an armored vehicle seized from Fatah, 2007.

Hamas now ruled Gaza, while Fatah remained in control of the West Bank, backed by the Palestinian Authority and Western support.

2008–2009 Gaza War: Operation Cast Lead

On December 27, 2008, Israel launched a military offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Known as Operation Cast Lead, the war lasted for three weeks, leaving behind a trail of destruction, political fallout, and a humanitarian crisis that would be felt for years.

The uninterrupted airstrikes, artillery shelling and ground operations resulted in the killing of 1,383 Palestinians, including 333 children and 114 women, and the injury of over 5,300. About 30 per cent of those injured were estimated to suffer from some form of long-term impairment. More than 3,400 Palestinian families had their homes completely destroyed, with many suffering long–term displacement.

During the hostilities, the firing of rockets and mortars by Palestinian armed groups towards Israel killed three Israeli civilians, injured some 180, and led to significant displacement of Israelis living within the range of fire. Ten Israeli soldiers were also killed during the hostilities, including four in a “friendly fire” incident. — United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Between 2007 and 2008, rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel became a regular occurrence. Israeli towns such as Sderot, Ashkelon, and Beersheba were frequently targeted, causing casualties and psychological distress among civilians.

In June 2008, Egypt brokered a six-month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. While the agreement led to a temporary reduction in violence, both sides accused each other of violations. Hamas expected Israel to lift the blockade, while Israel expected Hamas to halt all militant activity. Neither happened.

By late 2008, tensions were at a breaking point. The ceasefire was set to expire in December 2008, but violence erupted before then.

On November 4, 2008, Israel launched a military raid into Gaza, claiming that Hamas was digging a tunnel for a cross-border attack. The operation killed six Hamas militants, and in response, Hamas resumed firing rockets into Israel. Over the next few weeks, more than 200 rockets were launched, putting intense pressure on Israel to respond.

When the ceasefire officially expired on December 19, 2008, Hamas declared that it would not renew the agreement. Rocket attacks increased sharply, and Israel, facing internal political pressure, decided to act.

On December 27, 2008, Israel launched a massive aerial bombardment on Gaza. The first wave of airstrikes targeted Hamas’ military infrastructure, police stations, and weapons storage facilities. Over 225 Palestinians were killed on the first day alone, marking one of the bloodiest days in Gaza’s history back then.

Ariel bombardment of Gaza.

A week later, on January 3, 2009, Israeli ground forces entered Gaza, escalating the conflict. The battle was intense, with urban warfare in Gaza City and surrounding refugee camps. While Israel aimed to cripple Hamas’ military capabilities, civilian casualties mounted, and the humanitarian situation worsened.

By January 18, 2009, Israel declared a unilateral ceasefire, and Hamas soon followed with its own. The war had taken a devastating toll.

Internationally, the war sparked outrage. The United Nations and human rights organizations accused Israel of using excessive force, while the Goldstone Report (2009) later suggested that both Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes.

Operation Pillar of Defense (November 14–21, 2012)

On November 14, 2012, Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense, a military campaign targeting Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. The operation lasted for eight days, intensifying hostilities and leaving behind another humanitarian crisis that further strained the fragile situation in the region.

Homes, government buildings, and key infrastructure in Gaza were severely damaged.

The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 160 Palestinians, including at least 30 children, and left more than 1,200 people injured. In Israel, six people were killed, and over 200 were injured due to rocket attacks from Gaza. While the Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted many rockets, the psychological and economic toll on Israeli civilians was significant.

The immediate trigger that led to Operation Pillar of Defense came on November 14, 2012, when Israel assassinated Ahmed Jabari, the chief of Hamas’ military wing. Israel accused him of orchestrating numerous attacks and being responsible for the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006. Hamas retaliated within hours, launching a barrage of rockets at Israeli cities, escalating the violence.

After eight days of intense fighting, a ceasefire was brokered by Egypt on November 21, 2012.

The war left Gaza in ruins, with infrastructure damage estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The UN reported that 35,000 people were displaced, with many homes destroyed. Power outages, water shortages, and medical supply crises added to the suffering of civilians.

“The destruction was overwhelming. Families lost everything overnight, and the humanitarian impact was catastrophic. The cycle of violence must end, or these tragedies will continue to repeat themselves.” — International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

By now, you might have noticed a pattern. Escalation, military action, international condemnation, and a fragile ceasefire. This relentless cycle has come to define the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, invariably leaving Gaza in ruins while keeping Israel in a state of perpetual vigilance.

Operation Protective Edge (July 8–August 26, 2014)

On July 8, 2014, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in Gaza. The war lasted for 50 days, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in Gaza’s history (then). By the time the ceasefire was reached, the devastation was immense, with thousands of lives lost, entire neighborhoods destroyed, and a worsening humanitarian crisis that would persist for years.

The war resulted in the deaths of over 2,200 Palestinians, including more than 500 children, and left over 11,000 people injured. According to OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), over 100,000 Palestinians were displaced, many of whom had their homes reduced to rubble. In Israel, 73 people were killed, including 67 soldiers and six civilians, while rocket fire caused widespread fear and disruption in major cities.

The UN described Gaza’s condition as “unlivable,” with more than 475,000 people in urgent need of shelter and aid.

“The level of destruction and human suffering in Gaza was unprecedented. Families were torn apart, essential services collapsed, and rebuilding efforts were constantly delayed by political deadlock.” — United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

While Israel claimed military success, stating that it had significantly weakened Hamas, the political reality remained unchanged. The blockade on Gaza persisted, Hamas retained power, and periodic violence continued in the years that followed. The conflict had no clear winner — only civilians on both sides bore the suffering. But it was clear that the Palestinians bore the brunt of the unending conflicts.

2018–2019: The Great March of Return

On March 30, 2018, tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza launched the Great March of Return, a mass protest movement demanding the right of return for Palestinian refugees and an end to the Israeli blockade.

A mass attempt by Palestinians to cross the border fence separating Israel from Gaza.

The Right of Return is a principle in international law that asserts that displaced persons have the right to return to their homeland. The Palestinian Right of Return is rooted in the mass displacement that occurred during the 1948 Nakba.

The protests were planned as peaceful demonstrations, held every Friday near the Gaza-Israel border fence. However, they quickly turned deadly as Israeli forces responded with live ammunition, tear gas, and snipers.

On the first day of protests, 17 Palestinians were killed, and over 1,400 were injured by Israeli gunfire.

The protests continued weekly, drawing tens of thousands of demonstrators, including families, journalists, and medics.

Israel accused Hamas of using the protests as cover for militant activity, citing incidents of border breaches, Molotov cocktails, and explosive devices.

On May 14, 2018, the protests intensified as the U.S. officially moved its embassy to Jerusalem, which basically meant they recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. That day, Israeli forces killed at least 60 Palestinians and injured over 2,700, marking the deadliest day in Gaza since the 2014 war (again, or so it was thought)

Operation Guardian of the Walls (May 10–21, 2021)

The immediate trigger for this chapter in a seemingly endless conflict was the forced evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli settler groups, backed by court rulings, sought to remove Palestinian residents from homes they had lived in for generations. The evictions, seen as part of a larger effort to Judaize East Jerusalem, ignited widespread Palestinian protests.

As tensions escalated, the Al-Aqsa Mosque became a flashpoint. During Ramadan, Israeli police stormed the mosque compound, firing rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at worshippers. The violent crackdown, which left hundreds of Palestinians injured, enraged not only Palestinians but also Muslims across the world.

Hamas, positioning itself as the defender of Jerusalem, issued an ultimatum to Israel: withdraw security forces from Al-Aqsa and halt the Sheikh Jarrah evictions. When Israel refused, Hamas launched rockets towards Jerusalem on May 10, marking the beginning of full-scale war.

Hamas and other Gaza militants fired over 4,300 rockets into Israel, targeting cities like Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Beersheba. The Iron Dome intercepted the majority, but some struck civilian areas, killing 12 Israelis, including two children.

Israel responded with heavy aerial bombardment, targeting what it claimed were Hamas military infrastructure, tunnels, and commanders. However, the airstrikes also leveled entire residential buildings, killed at least 260 Palestinians (including 66 children), and displaced tens of thousands.

The war saw an unprecedented wave of violence inside Israel, with Arab and Jewish citizens clashing in cities like Lod, Haifa, and Jaffa. For the first time in years, the conflict spilled into Israeli society itself, exposing deep-seated tensions between Jews and Arabs.

A man walks past burned-out cars after a night of violence between Israeli Arab protesters and police in the central Israeli city of Lod, Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

Operation Shield and Arrow (May 9–13, 2023)

The immediate spark for the operation came on May 2, 2023, when Khader Adnan, a prominent Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader, died in an Israeli prison after an 87-day hunger strike. His death triggered rocket fire from Gaza, with Palestinian militants launching over 100 rockets toward southern Israel. In response, Israel conducted limited airstrikes but avoided a full-scale confrontation — until a week later.

Iron Dome (right) fires interceptors at rockets launched by Palestinian militants over Sderot.

On May 9, Israel initiated a surprise wave of airstrikes against PIJ leaders, marking the official start of Operation Shield and Arrow. The strikes killed three senior PIJ commanders along with their family members, including children.

At least 33 Palestinians were killed, including civilians and six children. On the Israeli side, two civilians died as a result of rocket fire.

The conflict drew — you guessed it — widespread condemnation, with the United Nations, European Union, and Arab states urging de-escalation. Egypt (the ultimate mediator of all previous ceasefires) brokered yet another ceasefire on May 13, ending the hostilities. However, as seen in previous wars, the ceasefire only froze the conflict, leaving its root causes untouched.

“These repeated escalations inflict unbearable suffering on civilians. The international community must push for a lasting resolution, not just another fragile truce.” — Human Rights Watch

October 7th, 2023

On October 7th, 2023, Israel experienced an unprecedented attack that shattered its sense of security, ignited a war, and ensured the cycle of violence would only deepen.

At 6:30 a.m., air raid sirens sounded across southern and central Israel as Hamas initiated a large-scale rocket barrage. Concurrently, Muhammad Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing, announced the commencement of “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” urging Palestinians to attack Israeli targets.

Evgenia Simanovich runs to the reinforced concrete shelter of her family’s home, moments after rocket sirens sounded in Ashkelon, Israel, on October 7. [Tamir Kalifa/NYT]

1,175 Hamas militants, organized into 20 battalions said their morning prayers and stormed the border.

At around 7 a.m. at the Supernova Music Festival near Re’im, Hamas militants came from the skies like angels of death using motorized paragliders. In a video recorded by one concert goer, you can see the music being stopped, and a man seen coming down from the sky. Seconds later, all hell breaks loose. It is hard to imagine what must have been going through the minds of the majority young people at the concert when the gunfire broke out.

This photo, taken on October 11, shows the music festival camp in Israel that was overrun by Hamas militants on October 7. [Sergey Ponomarev/NYT]

Of the approximately 3,000 to 5,000 attendees, 364 were killed, and 40 were abducted. The militants, however, had an audience. GoPro cameras, typically the tools of adventure seekers, extreme sports athletes, and content creators, were repurposed that day to capture unfiltered brutality.

They had mounted GoPros on their persons, determined to show the world each step in their operation. This was Hamas at their most brutal. In footage from the GoPro camera of one of the militants, he can be seen tossing a grenade into a bomb shelter where Israeli civilians were sheltering. Video recorded from inside the bunker by one of the civilians shows the detonation, and the resulting countless dead bodies.

The floor of a child’s bedroom is stained with blood in Be’eri, an Israeli kibbutz near the Gaza border, on October 17. “It’s difficult to imagine or know exactly what happened in that room, but the signs of violence were indisputable,” photographer Tamir Kalifa said.[Tamir Kalifa/NYT]

By the end of this rampage, approximately 1,200 people, including soldiers and civilians were massacred, and around 250 hostages abducted.

This act of unprecedented violence was widely condemned, and thus began Israel’s response.

Israel’s Response

Piers Morgan’s show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, gained massive popularity after October 7th due to him hosting debates between pro-Israelis and pro-Palestinians (though most identified as pro-human). While Morgan claimed neutrality and objectivity in the conflict, those with a truly unbiased perspective saw his clear bias.

The first question he usually asked guests who were more aligned with the Palestinians was, ‘Do you condemn the acts of terrorism committed by Hamas on October 7th?’ Most of his guests would vociferously answer Yes, while some would try to explain that he should not view the event as isolated, but contextualize it to the Israeli Palestine conflict. But to Piers and seemingly most of his viewers, everything began on October 7th.

To be clear, the events of October 7th are condemnable by anyone who has a shred of humanity, but consistency should be applied in this condemnation. This is not about sides, its about recognizing the sanctity of human life.

Israel unleashed an unrelenting campaign of airstrikes on Gaza, leveling neighborhoods, hospitals, and infrastructure. Entire neighborhoods were erased in a matter of days as Israeli airstrikes rained down with an intensity never before witnessed in the history of the conflict. Hospitals, schools, and refugee camps were reduced to rubble, with civilians bearing the brunt of the assault.

Palestinian schoolchildren look toward the sky at the sound of airstrikes as Israel, vowing to eliminate Hamas, launched an offensive on Gaza on October 7. [Samar Abu Elouf/NYT]

By early 2024, the death toll in Gaza had surpassed 30,000, eclipsing all previous Israeli military operations combined. 10,000 of the dead were children. This is clearly the only time in history so many children have been killed in such a short time. But, you must think, Israel has to see that there has to be a limit. Surely, that’s more than a proportionate response?

Apparently not.

Palestinians inspect the rubble of the Yassin mosque after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike at the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. [Adel Hana/AP]

By mid-2024, international pressure mounted. On July 19, the International Court of Justice ruled Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories illegal. In retaliation, Israel expanded its offensive, targeting Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon. By September, Israeli strikes on Beirut signaled an expanding regional conflict.

The war had escalated beyond Gaza.

In October 2024, Israel launched a full-scale invasion into southern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to escalate missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa. The Middle East teetered on the edge of a broader war. By November, diplomatic efforts faltered as Qatar, a key mediator, withdrew from negotiations.

The occupied West Bank saw an explosion of settler violence, with Israeli extremists emboldened to seize more Palestinian land under the cover of war.

In the face of global condemnation, Israel cited its right to self-defense, but some questions have to be raised; how can Israel be defending itself by killing 10,000 children? How can Israel cite its right to self-defense by bombarding Gaza, an open-air prison where no one can escape? Some people compared it to shooting fish in a barrel. Israel claimed it wanted to destroy Hamas in its entirety, at any cost. Israel made the same claim when it bombed all the universities in Gaza, when it bombed the only Cancer center in Gaza, when it flattened refugee camps, when it used white phosphorus in civilian areas, a substance known for causing severe burns and long-term environmental devastation, when it used starvation as a weapon of war against civilians, when it killed journalists and paramedics, when it bombed ALL hospitals in Gaza, when it destroyed all major infrastructure in Gaza. Apparently, this is how destroying Hamas looks like.

This aerial photo, taken on November 28, shows destruction caused by Israeli strikes in central Gaza. [Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images]

Where does Hamas fit in?

Hamas has embedded itself deeply into Palestinian civilian life, governing Gaza while simultaneously operating as an armed faction. Its extensive tunnel network serves as a crucial military asset, used for smuggling, command centers, and launching attacks, often hidden beneath schools, hospitals, and residential areas. This entrenchment makes it nearly impossible to separate combatants from civilians, exposing Gaza to devastating Israeli retaliation. But that is no justification for the bombardment of Gaza.

Israeli troops walk through what they said was an underground tunnel used by Hamas militants in Gaza.

Despite Hamas’s rocket attacks being largely ineffective against Israel’s military might, each bombardment by Israel has fueled resentment, making Hamas not just a militant group but an increasingly powerful symbol of resistance. As entire families are wiped out and neighborhoods reduced to rubble, many Palestinians — especially the young — now see Hamas not as the cause of their suffering but as the embodiment of defiance and vengeance, ensuring that even if the group is militarily weakened, its ideology will only grow stronger. Israel has inadvertently turned Hamas into an ideology that will be even harder to kill.

The death toll crossed the 50,000 mark in March 2025, with the number of children killed being above 16,500.

When you view statistics in the form of numbers, its easy to overlook the magnitude of the death and destruction. If one child dies in your family, that’s a tragedy. What do you call it when an entire population loses someone, gets displaced, lacks food and water and is under existential threat? Well clearly not Genocide, because Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, in whole or in part, and Israel ‘is just trying to destroy Hamas.’

Inas Abu Maamar embraces the body of her 5-year-old niece, Saly, at the Nasser Hospital morgue in Khan Younis, Gaza, on October 17. Saly was killed in an Israeli strike. Saly’s mother and sister were also killed, along with Inas’ uncle and aunt. [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]

Unlike past wars, where sporadic ceasefires allowed for brief respites, this conflict had no reprieve.

90% of Gaza’s population was displaced from their homes. Contextualize that with any other country to understand how inhumane that was.

Back to Piers Morgan Uncensored. By now, you might think or even expect that Piers was posing the now infamous condemnation question to Israel supporters, something along the lines of, ‘do you condemn the acts of terrorism carried out by the IDF, and by extension, Israel?’

But no, he still posed the same question to his Palestine-aligned guests, and to the Israel supporters he’d ask, ‘what is a proportionate response to the acts of October 7?’ He clearly didn’t want his pro-Israeli guests to be uncomfortable by answering that condemnation question.

When asked for his views, Piers has the biggest ‘moral quandary’ on this issue, because he also believes in Israel’s right to self-defense. He cannot condemn Israel or even admit that Israel is carrying out a genocide. Such is the tight relationship between Israel and the Western media.

On January 15, 2025, after 15 months of bloodshed, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. It was a fragile arrangement, dependent on phased prisoner releases and an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. However, by March 22, the truce disintegrated as Israel, citing renewed Hamas rocket fire, resumed airstrikes, plunging Gaza back into chaos. Three days later, Israel announced plans for the full reoccupation of Gaza, sparking outrage and global condemnation.

Israel’s military strategy and political rhetoric suggest that the war isn’t just about Hamas but about permanently reshaping Gaza’s — and potentially Palestine’s — political future. Some hardliners in the Israeli government and military see this as an opportunity to eliminate the idea of Palestinian sovereignty entirely. The complete destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, universities, and institutions could be a way of ensuring that a functioning Palestinian state never materializes.

Trump’s recent comments about “relocating” Gazans to other countries align with statements from Israeli ministers who have floated the idea of resettling Palestinians in Egypt or even further abroad. The relentless bombardment, the starvation tactics, and the total collapse of civilian life could be seen as deliberate strategies to make Gaza uninhabitable, forcing Palestinians to flee in what could amount to a second Nakba (catastrophe).

Some speculate that Israel doesn’t actually want to defeat Hamas completely — at least, not yet. Hamas serves as both a justification and a useful enemy. As long as Hamas exists, Israel can claim self-defense, justify military operations, and resist international pressure for Palestinian statehood. A weak but persistent Hamas allows Israel to maintain control, ensuring that Palestine remains fragmented, leaderless, and unable to function as an independent nation.

Netanyahu’s government has also been teetering on the edge of collapse, especially after the failures that led to October 7. A state of war keeps him in power, shifting public focus away from his political scandals and governance failures. If the war ends, Netanyahu might find himself facing not only elections but also accountability for the security lapses that allowed Hamas to strike in the first place.

If we go beyond the official narratives, the war seems to be achieving more than just the neutralization of Hamas — it’s dismantling Palestinian existence in Gaza. Whether by design or as an unintended consequence, Israel’s actions are leading to mass displacement, systemic destruction, and the possible erasure of Gaza as a livable entity.

Palestinian refugees in Rafah, Gaza, decorate their tents with lanterns on February 29 ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. [Belal Khaled/Anadolu/Getty Images]