In the aftermath of the October 7th, 2023 attack launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, global media coverage has focused almost exclusively on that date. But to understand the roots of such violence, one must ask: what led to this eruption?
Mainstream narratives from within Israel often portray Gaza as a region of relative peace, where residents live freely, travel internationally, and enjoy democratic rights. If that were the case, why would such a brutal attack occur?
The reality for many Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank has been starkly different. For decades, they have lived under conditions widely described as apartheid—subject to military occupation, land seizures, and systemic discrimination. Israeli settlements have expanded into Palestinian territories, often accompanied by violence. Protests, even those involving nothing more than stone-throwing, have been met with harsh reprisals: homes demolished, livelihoods destroyed, and individuals imprisoned without trial.
One such practice is “administrative detention,” where Palestinians are held indefinitely without charges, based on the assumption they might commit a crime in the future. This preventive measure, lacking judicial oversight or time limits, resembles hostage-taking more than democratic governance—a bitter irony given the current hostage crisis involving Hamas.
Violence from both sides has perpetuated a cycle of suffering. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has intensified, while Hamas remains committed to Israel’s destruction. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict.
Israel’s strikes have extended beyond Gaza, targeting Lebanon, Syria, and even Qatar. If this escalation continues, it’s conceivable that Western nations—excluding the United States—could impose travel bans or trade restrictions on Israel.
At times, Israel’s close alignment with U.S. policy raises questions about its autonomy. One might wonder whether it has become, in effect, America’s 51st state.