Hamas Hellfire: Gaza commemorates Yom Kippur war with rain of rockets, ground offensive into Israel

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Palestinian militants fired thousands of rockets into Israel on Saturday, heightening the tension that has been going on for months between the two sides, and putting Israel and Gaza on a war footing.

The leader of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif, said “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm has begun.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying, “We are at war.”

The UN coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tom Wennesland, expressed concern about a bigger conflict.

The attacks also throw a spanner into US efforts to normalise relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. Its success would have reaffirmed America’s primacy in West Asia over China’s growing footprint in the region.

The surprise early morning attack was among the biggest from Gaza in years, as nearly 5,000 rockets were fired into central and southern Israel. The Israeli military said gunmen crossed the border fence at several locations and infiltrated Israeli communities in a ground assault from Gaza.

The build-up to the rocket attacks could be the ongoing fighting between the two sides, especially since May 2021, when Israeli soldiers were stationed at the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem—the third holiest Islamic site. Israel has also continued to encroach and construct on Palestinian land.

The attacks are a warning against Arab countries attempting to normalise relations with Israel. Deib said, “We’ve decided that enough is enough,” as he urged all Palestinians to confront Israel.

Netanyahu said operations were underway to clear the militants from infiltrated towns and that he had issued a call-up of reservists.

The unprecedented infiltration into southern Israel prompted Israel to order residents across the region to remain indoors. The Israeli military said that at least 2,200 rockets had been fired into Israel by 11 am on Saturday and that it had begun airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

At least 22 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded. At least one Palestinian was killed and several wounded in an Israeli attack on a hospital in northern Gaza.

The timing of the Palestinian attack coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war of 1973, when a surprise attack by the Egyptian and Syrian armies had led to a major conflict with the Israelis. Yom Kippur is observed as ‘the Day of Atonement’ by Jews. The rocket attacks were not exactly during Yom Kippur, but within a week or so.

Perhaps it was used as a symbol of the 1973 war—the only conflict the Arabs did not lose to the Israelis.

Hamas and Israel

The Palestinians and Israelis have been at war several times since the creation of Israel in 1948, but relations worsened after Hamas came to power winning a majority of the seats in the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006.

The following year they fought a civil war with the Al Fatah, the military wing of the Palestine Authority, and took control of the Gaza Strip. The Palestine President and his government have remained restricted to the West Bank since.

The US and Israel imposed sanctions on Hamas because it refused to give up violence and recognise Israel. Most countries in the world have designated Hamas a terrorist outfit.

Israel has also enforced a land, sea, and air blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, trapping nearly two million people inside the poor coastal enclave. There are only seven border crossings that allow people in Gaza to travel to the outside world or the West Bank.

In subsequent years, there have been several fights between Hamas and the Israelis, leading to massive death and destruction. However, the current conflict seems to be the worst.

Ramifications of the attack

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and the international community have asked for an early cessation of the violence. But Iran said it stands with the Palestinians in their fight against Israel.

However, the biggest question that has now arisen is about the future of US-initiated rapprochement between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the country, was enthusiastic about normalising ties with Israel.

But Saudi Arabia is the leader of the Sunni Muslim world and custodian of the two holy mosques, Mecca and Medina.

So far, it has not recognised Israel, but if the Saudis normalise ties with Israel, other Arab countries are likely to follow suit. This could then dilute support for Palestine. Or it could turn more militant with support from Iran.

The Arab world and the international community will keep a close watch on how the situation evolves in this volatile region.