Many decades ago, a troubling conflict erupted between Palestine and Israel. Since the early 1900’s, international issues have risen among the countries, and unfortunately, have gotten much worse.
Going back in time for important background: Palestine became initially established in 1922, by a British Mandate following World War I. Tensions between Arab and Jewish communities living within the territory grew after an agreement for a “national home” for Jewish people was approved: the Balfour Declaration. The two communities were determined to own the territory. Due to problems continuing to unravel, in 1947 Britain decided that Arab and Jewish people would be separated into different Jewish and Arab states.
With neither appreciating the terms of the situation, one side believed the other got more than the other. However, Britain abstained and allowed the conflict to be left in the hands of the UN. On May 14, 1948, an independent state, Israel, was officially declared by Jewish leaders in Palestine, and in the following year Israel would be recognized by the UN. The day after declaration, though, Israel would be attacked and surrounded by armies from five Arab nations, which would become known as the 1948 Arab – Israeli War.
In 1967, a war known as The Six-Day War would be fought among Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. In fear of attack, Israel would go on to launch an attack of their own on Egypt’s Airforce, and by the end would capture the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza. Around 1 million Palestinians in Gaza and East Jerusalem came under Israeli’s control. Israel’s control over these territories is in place still today, though Sinai was returned to Egypt in 1979 through a peace treaty.
Fast forwarding to a couple of years ago: Israel was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and military movement that has been the de facto governing authority in the Gaza Strip since forcibly seizing control from the rival Fatah faction in 2007. With Israel being one of the most technologically advanced militaries in the Middle East, retaliations were almost immediate upon Gaza, where thousands upon thousands of Palestinians have been killed.
On Oct. 10, 2025, a ceasefire was arranged between Hamas and Israel with the help of the U.S. During this process, Hamas handed over 12 deceased identified hostages, in exchange for living hostages and other bodies, and Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Unfortunately, on Sunday, Oct. 19, the ceasefire was broken by Israel, in which they launched a wave of airstrikes killing dozens of Palestinians. They have also temporarily halted any humanitarian aid attempting to enter Gaza, claiming that the reopening of the Rafah border would depend on whether Hamas fulfilled obligations on the return of deceased hostages’ bodies. Despite escalation, both sides commit to the agreement again, and Israel announced that ceasefire operations and aid would resume on Monday, Oct. 20.
