After 100 days since the Israeli war on Gaza, it’s clear that the tragedy is far from over. Israel remains determined to “destroy Hamas” in response to the Al-Aqsa Flood attack last October.
Although the war hasn’t ended, it’s evident that its impact has reshaped both Palestinian and Israeli landscapes.
The aftermath has sparked conflicts from southern Lebanon to Syria and Iraq, and even reached the Red Sea with Houthi attacks on commercial ships.
The region now grapples with lasting consequences beyond Gaza’s borders, affecting both political dynamics and security.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel faced a shock as its intelligence, security, and political leadership were caught off guard by Hamas’s Al-Aqsa Flood operation.
The assault exposed weaknesses in the Israeli military, allowing Hamas fighters to take control of nearby settlements and kibbutz near Gaza. They easily breached the fortified border fence, taking up to 250 hostages back to Gaza.
People compared this surprise attack to the unexpected events of the October 1973 war.
Hamas strategically launched its assault during the Yom Kippur holiday, leading to at least 1,200 Israeli casualties in a single day, compared to 2,656 losses in the October war.
In response to the shock, Israel declared itself in a “state of war,” mobilizing hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers.
Some invaded Gaza, while others guarded the northern front against potential attacks from Hezbollah or Syria.
After weeks of intense fighting, the Israeli army gained control of significant parts of Gaza, especially in the north.
However, this came at a high cost of casualties (23,000 Palestinians) and severe destruction to Gaza's infrastructure (70% of buildings destroyed).
Despite this, the Israeli army persists in continuing the war, aiming to uphold its reputation as an unstoppable force.
Hamas’s attack also brought together the politically divided landscape in Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the Likud party, formed a war cabinet by including his main opponent, Benny Gantz, while keeping another rival, Yair Lapid, out.
Despite Gantz joining, the influence of the far-right in the government remains strong, with some ministers making racist statements and suggesting drastic measures like evacuating Gaza and expanding settlements.
There’s uncertainty about how long this unity will last, with speculation that Gantz might leave, given his position as a prominent candidate to replace Netanyahu in any upcoming elections.
Palestinians: Triumph Followed by Tragedy
At first, Hamas celebrated the Al-Aqsa Flood attack as a big win against Israel.
But the joy didn’t last long as they realized the heavy price Gazans were paying in lives and blood due to Israeli retaliation.
Even though 100 days have passed since the war, it’s clear today that Hamas can still stand up to Israelis and cause them significant losses.
However, at the same time, Hamas is facing massive losses among its fighters, with estimates suggesting thousands of militants lost.
They also lost their extensive tunnels under Gaza and in the northern area, which had been a hidden base for years.
Despite these setbacks for Hamas, the losses they’re facing don't compare to the hardships suffered by the civilian residents of Gaza.
They now face the possibility of being forced from their homes, adding another tragic chapter to their history, similar to their displacement in 1948 during the establishment of Israel.
As Hamas structures are taken down in northern Gaza, attention now turns to its tunnels in Khan Yunis in the southern part of the strip.
Israelis claim that leaders of the movement, along with hostages, are hiding there.
While Hamas doesn’t flatly reject releasing the hostages, the condition is a ceasefire, something Israel refuses.
Israel remains committed to its goal of eliminating Hamas rule, destroying its capabilities, and dealing with leaders tied to the October 7 attack.
Efforts to locate Yahya Sinwar, the alleged mastermind and Hamas leader in Gaza, have so far been unsuccessful.
However, assassinations of Hamas leaders in exile have begun, indicating Israel’s intent to continue, despite ongoing proposals to end the war, including relocating Hamas leaders from Gaza into exile.
The same considerations naturally apply to Hamas’s allies in the Islamic Jihad.
