Previously posted on Medium by Christina Grant of Computer Technologies
The war between Israel and Hamas has left Gaza in ruins, displaced millions, and sparked accusations of genocide. But beyond the headlines, many struggle to understand who the key players are, why this war escalated, and why civilians are paying the heaviest price. This article breaks down the conflict into its essential parts: the key actors, the timeline of escalation, the humanitarian catastrophe, and the international response.
The Key Players
Israel & Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
- Israel is the regional military powerhouse, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directing the war.
- Netanyahu insists the war is about destroying Hamas after its October 7, 2023 attack.
- Critics accuse him of prolonging the war for political survival, ignoring hostages, and overseeing actions that have drawn genocide allegations from the UN and international courts.
Hamas
- A Palestinian Islamist movement founded in 1987.
- Governs the Gaza Strip since 2007 after violently ousting rival Fatah.
- Has a military wing (rockets, tunnels, raids) and a political/social wing (schools, charities).
- Classified as a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S., and EU; seen by some Palestinians and Arab nations as a resistance force.
- Its October 7 attack killed ~1,200 people in Israel and led to hostage-taking — triggering the current war.
Civilians of Gaza
- 2.3 million people trapped in one of the world’s most densely populated regions.
- Victims of both Hamas’s rule (authoritarian control, militarization of civilian areas) and Israel’s bombardment/blockade (displacement, hunger, collapsed hospitals).
- UN reports show overwhelming civilian casualties, with 15 out of every 16 killed since March 2025 being civilians.
The Israel–Gaza conflict centers on three key players: Israel’s leadership (Netanyahu), Hamas in Gaza, and the civilians caught in between. Gaza and the West Bank are the main Palestinian territories, but decades of blockade, war, and occupation have left millions trapped in crisis.
Timeline of the Conflict (Oct 2023 — Sept 2025)
- Oct 7, 2023: Hamas launches unprecedented attack on Israel → 1,200 dead, 250 hostages.
- Oct–Dec 2023: Israel bombards Gaza, imposes tighter blockade; humanitarian crisis escalates.
- Jan 2024: South Africa brings genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Court issues provisional orders to allow aid and prevent genocide.
- Mid 2024: Israeli ground offensives expand; millions of Palestinians displaced.
- Late 2024: International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant (Israel) and senior Hamas leaders for war crimes.
- Early 2025: Ceasefire talks collapse; hostage negotiations stall. Gaza infrastructure nearly destroyed.
- March 2025: Data shows civilians account for ~94% of Palestinians killed since March.
- Summer 2025: Famine warnings from UN; Israel continues assault in Gaza City.
- Sept 2025: UN commission concludes Israel has committed genocide (4 out of 5 acts under Genocide Convention met). Israel rejects findings. New Israeli ground assault displaces thousands more.
The Accusation of Genocide
- UN Commission (Sept 2025): Says Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, citing killings, starvation, displacement, and destruction of healthcare.
- Israel’s Response: Rejects the charge, arguing the war targets Hamas, not Palestinians as a people. Civilian deaths are framed as tragic but unavoidable.
- Legal Landscape:
- ICJ: Ongoing genocide case (no final ruling yet).
- ICC: Arrest warrants for both Israeli and Hamas leaders for war crimes.
The International Split
- United States: Strong military/diplomatic backer of Israel but presses for humanitarian relief.
- European Union: Split — Germany and Austria strongly back Israel; Spain and Ireland push for Palestinian protection.
- Arab States: Condemn Israel, but divided on taking responsibility for Gaza. Egypt and Jordan cooperate on aid but stop short of deeper involvement.
- United Nations: Security Council deadlocked (U.S. vetoes critical resolutions); General Assembly passes symbolic ceasefire calls.
Possible Endgames
- Ceasefire + hostage swaps — temporary relief, but Hamas remains.
- Hamas collapse — Israel’s stated goal, but extremely difficult.
- Netanyahu falls — could shift Israeli policy, but no guarantee of peace.
- Occupation of Gaza — risky, costly, and likely to inflame resistance.
- International administration — UN/Arab-led governance, though unpopular with locals.
- Stalemate — ongoing war, suffering, and political deadlock (most likely short-term).
Long-Term Solutions on the Table
- Two-State Solution: Still the UN’s official goal, but politically stalled.
- One-State Solution: Equal rights in one country — rejected by Israel.
- Confederation: Cooperation model, but trust is too low.
- Permanent Separation: Physical division, but risks creating apartheid-like conditions.
- Regional Approach: Arab states involved in Gaza’s future — but reluctant without guarantees.
Conclusion
The Israel–Gaza war is not just a battle between two sides — it’s a human catastrophe where civilians bear the brunt of political failure, militant extremism, and military force. Whether the future holds peace, collapse, or more endless conflict depends not just on Israel and Hamas, but on international willpower, new leadership, and the ability to break free from decades of mistrust.
References
- Associated Press — UN panel accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza
- Boston University (BU Today) — Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza?
- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) — Israeli–Palestinian Conflict Tracker
- Reuters — Israel presses ahead with Gaza City assault as displaced Palestinians panic
- Reuters — Israel says ‘Gaza is burning’ as it launches ground assault
- The Guardian — Civilians made up 15 of every 16 people Israel killed in Gaza since March, data suggests
- The Guardian — Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN commission of inquiry
- Vox — The growing consensus that Israel is committing genocide
- Wikipedia — Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Wikipedia — International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders
- Wikipedia — South Africa’s genocide case against Israel