Why did Hamas start a war with Israel?

Hamas's offensive marks a new phase of an ongoing conflict. Gaza has now become the chief military base to fight against Israel.

Majalla/agencies

There are several reasons why Hamas attacked Israel, including restoring its dwindling credibility. But it is crucial to acknowledge Israel's antagonising behaviour as one of the key motivations.

Why did Hamas start a war with Israel?

Majed Kayali

last update on 09 Oct 2023

As the coming days of the "state of war" between Israel and Hamas drag on, it is important to highlight how this latest episode of conflict is unlike anything seen before.

Not only did Hamas start the war, but it is also the first time a ground invasion has crossed the Green Line into Israeli territory — a move even Hezbollah never dared to attempt.

It is too early to predict the potential outcome of hostilities, but for now, it is important to understand why Hamas launched this attack.

First and foremost, the offensive was a politically-motivated move aimed at boosting its dwindling popularity with the Palestinian people.

During its 16-year rule in Gaza, Hamas has struggled to establish itself as a respected and effective authority compared to Fatah in the West Bank — particularly when it comes to addressing the needs of the people.

Diana Estefania Rubio

Moreover, it has been unable to shield Gazans from frequent and brutal Israeli attacks. The severe blockade imposed on Gaza has compounded these challenges, leading to heightened unemployment, poverty, and despair in a region already lacking resources.

Gaza's residents have borne the brunt of Israeli military campaigns, with thousands of Palestinians killed, tens of thousands injured, and significant damage to infrastructure and properties.

The Hamas offensive was a politically motivated move aimed at boosting its dwindling popularity with the Palestinian people.

A bid to regain credibility

Second, Hamas was motivated by a need to rebuild its credibility among its allies.

Despite its efforts to bolster its military capabilities, its leadership missed out on three recent confrontations with Israel, during which the Islamic Jihad Movement took a more prominent role, in 2019 and 2022. This has notably impacted its relationship with Iran — a key source of financial and military support.

Third, Hamas may be trying to leverage its military strength to position itself as the primary representative of the Palestinian people.

This strategic move aligns with the ongoing developments in the Palestinian, Arab, and international arenas, especially in light of Iran's objections to any moves towards normalising relations between the Arabs and the Israelis.

This could have significant consequences for both the Arab and Palestinian realities in the future.

Hamas's launch of attacks on settlements over the border with Israel has significantly strengthened the group's position. It has revealed its motive to make the Gaza Strip the primary base to fight Israel.

The move aligns with Hamas' ambition to marginalise Fatah and become the main leader of the Palestinian people — on local, regional and international levels.

Having ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007 – when the Palestinian territories were divided – Hamas now aims to position itself as a key player on the Arab and global stage.

At the launch of what it called Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Hamas leader Mohammed Deif made it clear that Hamas's goal was to make Gaza the main military base to liberate Palestine.

Rockets are fired by Palestinian militants into Israel, in Gaza City, October 7, 2023.

This declaration underscores Gaza's heavy responsibility in fighting for Palestinian liberation and eliminating Israeli occupation from the West Bank. Not least, because it is small. At 360 square kilometres, it is just 2% of Palestine's total area and about 6% of the size of the West Bank.

Hamas was motivated by a need to rebuild its credibility among its allies. It also may be trying to leverage its military strength to position itself as the primary representative of the Palestinian people.

Israeli responsibility

Amid all of these developments, Israel bears a significant share of responsibility for the ongoing conflict.

Its very existence is deeply intertwined with the displacement of the Palestinian people from their ancestral land. Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been a primary driver of the suffering endured by the Palestinian population, stripping them of their identity and homeland.

Over the past 75 years, it has continuously denied their rights and subjected them to aggression. Recently, it has instigated tensions by allowing settlers to trespass on Islamic and Christian holy sites, and tacitly supporting extremist settlers in the West Bank and Jerusalem, by allowing them to attack Palestinians with impunity.

Israeli settlers from the settlement of Eli lift national flags as they reportedly gather around a water spring in the Palestinian Qaryut village south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, on June 24, 2022.

Against this backdrop, Hamas' actions can be seen as a natural and legitimate response to Israel's relentless oppression of the Palestinian people. Despite Hamas's motives and politics, fighting against Israeli oppression aligns with the Palestinian people's will.

It is also a response that aligns with the will of the Palestinian people and utilises available, effective, and responsible means while avoiding undue hardships for the civilian population.

Regrettably, the Palestinian leadership has poorly managed resistance against Israeli oppression. It has lacked a unified national vision and viable strategy for nearly six decades.

Despite Hamas's motives and politics, fighting against Israeli oppression aligns with the Palestinian people's will.

The current situation in Israel and Palestine is unprecedented. But, tempering emotions with reason and learning from costly lessons is crucial.

Recommendations for coming days

1. Avoid being solely driven by emotions

Emotionally-driven responses are not constructive when power dynamics and various Arab and international factors are at play. Rational decision-making and policy formulation are paramount in such a complex situation.

Reuters — A relative reacts as she attends the funeral of Palestinians from the Shamalkh family, who health officials said were killed in Israeli strikes, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023.

2. This is not the time for a decisive Palestinian and Arab liberation of Palestine.

It goes without saying that the sacrifices and heroism being displayed by Palestinians seeking to better their situation and right the wrongs of being under Israeli occupation for over 50 years are praiseworthy. But past displays of Palestinian heroism such as the Battle of Karameh and the Second Intifada have never led to the liberation of their land.

3. Things could get worse.

There is legitimate concern that the current events could lead to a worsening of conditions for Palestinians, and prompt settlers to encroach on more Palestinian land in the West Bank. This could lead to more Palestinians being uprooted and displaced from their homes.

4. Gaza can emerge as a separate state

These confrontations could potentially lead to the emergence of a project that separates Gaza from the broader Palestinian body and establishes a Gaza state as a Palestinian state, possibly under the authority of Hamas or other groups.

The latest war in Gaza represents a significant shift in the ongoing conflict with the coming days leaving Palestinians and the broader region uncertain about the outcome.

However, one thing is certain: things in Gaza will never be the same as before.

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