On October 7th, 2023, an armed group of militants known as Hamas launched a ground assault on Israel. The attack began with a barrage of 3,000 rockets originating from the Gaza Strip. An hour later, Hamas began its ground attack. Fighters began by attacking the Supernova Music Festival in southern Israel. It is said that the militants arrived on motorized paragliders and opened fire in various civilian-heavy areas. At around 8:15 am, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced that Hamas fighters had entered the southern part of the country and that citizens should remain indoors.
Two hours later, the IDF launched a counterattack, sending two F-15 fighter jets to attack Gaza City. Hamas’s attack on Israel resulted in the siege of Gaza City and the deaths of 1,400 people. Hamas claims that 80 civilians in Gaza have been killed so far in the IDF airstrikes since the attack on Saturday. Many expect this number to rise significantly in the coming days and weeks.
The United States has become aware of this conflict. The United States Navy has sent the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Along with 12,000 sailors and multiple F/A18C fighter jets along the coast of Israel. Israel has taken drastic measures in what some are calling “collective accountability” for the actions of Hamas. According to Al Jazeera, Israel has stopped providing water and electricity to Gaza as a part of the siege imposed by the IDF.
Protests have erupted all around the world as many believe this siege is an injustice to Gazan civilians who were not involved in the Hamas attack. In the U.S., hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Boston Public Library in Boston, Massachusetts. According to Wbur Local News, demonstrators were heard chanting “Long live Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Many more protests have taken place in cities such as Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, etc.
On October 8th, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave China’s official response to the conflict. According to diplomat Mao Ning, China calls on “all relevant parties to remain calm, exercise restraint and immediately end hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation.” She highlighted that “[the Chinese Government]… oppose and condemn acts that harm civilians.”
In the coming days, weeks, and months, casualties are expected to rise drastically. The IDF is planning to begin a ground assault on Gaza City, but it is currently being delayed because of bad weather. Activists around the world are outraged at the siege currently being imposed on Gaza that has left citizens without food, water, or electricity.
