Israel-Hamas War six months of hell: October 7, 2023 to April 7, 2024

As the Israel-Hamas conflict enters its sixth month, the toll of the ongoing war continues to mount, with both sides grappling with significant losses and escalating tensions.

The conflict, ignited by an October 7, 2023, incursion by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip into Israel, has spiraled into a devastating cycle of violence, leaving widespread destruction and profound humanitarian crises in its wake.

The initial attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the capture of over 250 hostages by Hamas militants, triggered a swift and forceful retaliation from Israel.

The subsequent Israeli military campaign claimed the lives of more than 33,000 people in the Gaza Strip, predominantly civilians. The military campaign inflicted far more damage than required to achieve Israel’s stated objectives of securing the release of remaining hostages and dismantling Hamas, although critics question the feasibility and ethical implications of such objectives.

Throughout the conflict, civilian casualties, including children, have been alarmingly high, drawing condemnation from international humanitarian organizations and calls for accountability for potential war crimes. Incidents such as the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab and the deaths of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen have underscored the devastating impact on innocent lives and the urgent need for enhanced protections for civilians and humanitarian workers.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has reached dire levels, with reports of widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, and lack of access to essential services.

Organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children have highlighted the plight of children, who represent a significant proportion of the population and bear the brunt of the crisis. Despite efforts to provide aid, challenges persist in delivering assistance effectively amid the ongoing violence and destruction.

International scrutiny and condemnation of Israel’s actions have intensified, with calls for accountability and appeals for an immediate ceasefire gaining momentum.

Demonstrations outside the Knesset, in Jerusalem, have drawn thousands calling on the government to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for six months, signifying a growing impatience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has expressed growing concern over civilian casualties and urged restraint in military operations.

President Joe Biden’s administration has faced pressure to reassess arms sales to Israel and push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In response to mounting criticism and escalating humanitarian crises, efforts to broker temporary truces and facilitate humanitarian aid have emerged.

However, the deep-rooted hatred and complex geopolitical dynamics continue to hinder progress towards a lasting resolution.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began pulling out from southern Gaza exactly six months after the Hamas assault on Israel, but Netanyahu is in no hurry to end the war.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that the IDF withdrawal from south Gaza, is “as we understand it, about rest-and-refit for these troops who have been on the ground for four months and not indicative of some coming new operation for these troops.”

Kirby said that public statements from American officials dating back to November “shows the growing degree of frustration that we’ve had the way these operations are being prosecuted, and the way Israelis are acting on the ground in terms of civilian casualties. We have been increasingly frustrated, and that was a core message the president delivered to Prime Minister Netanyahu.”

In a statement on Sunday, the IDF said it was pulling its 98th commando division “to recuperate and prepare for future operations,” as Israeli army vehicles were seen heading to a base in southern Israel.

“The achievements made by the IDF’s Division 98 and its units, are extremely impressive,” Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said. “They have eliminated terrorists and destroyed terror targets including warehouses, weapons, headquarters, communication centers and more. Their activities enabled the dismantling of Hamas as a functioning military unit in this area.”

The Nahal Brigade and the 162nd Division remain in Gaza, which the IDF describes as “a significant force” that will continue to “operate in the Gaza Strip, and will preserve the IDF’s freedom of action and its ability to conduct precise intelligence based operations.”

An Israeli brigade is typically made up of a few thousand troops. On Saturday, four Israeli soldiers were killed in Khan Younis.

The recent withdrawal of Israeli ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip, while signaling a shift in tactics, does not signal an end to hostilities, according to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

“We are fighting this war differently, it is different from its predecessors,” Halevi said in a statement to the press marking six months since Hamas’s October 7 onslaught and the start of the war.

“The war in Gaza continues, and we are far from stopping. Senior Hamas officials are still in hiding. We will get to them sooner or later. We are making progress, continuing to kill more terrorists and commanders and destroy more terror infrastructures, including last night,” said Halevi. “We will not leave Hamas brigades active in any part of the Strip. We have plans and we will act when we decide. At the same time as the offensive effort, we allow the introduction of humanitarian aid into the Strip. The interest of Hamas is to present a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to press for an end to the war.”

Sources quoted in Hebrew media express cautious optimism in efforts to secure a truce and hostage release deal, with an Israeli delegation in Cairo for talks with Qatari, Egyptian, and American negotiators.

Reports attribute the progress to US pressure on Israel and on Qatar’s ability to convince Hamas to accept a temporary ceasefire agreement. Haaretz news reports that the US will present a new draft proposal to the parties tonight.

CIA Director Bill Burns is attending the talks, along with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s General Intelligence Directorate Abbas Kamel.

Among the Israeli officials expected to attend are Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.