1. Israeli occupation and settlement expansion: The ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as the expansion of Israeli settlements in these areas, have been major sources of tension and conflict between Israel and Hamas.
2. Blockade of Gaza: Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been in place since 2007, has severely restricted the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory, leading to economic hardship and humanitarian crisis for the residents of Gaza. This has fueled resentment and anger among Palestinians, including Hamas supporters.
3. Jerusalem tensions: The status of Jerusalem, particularly the holy sites in the city, has been a longstanding source of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. In recent years, tensions have escalated over Israeli plans to evict Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem and the presence of Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
4. Political rivalry: Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, led by Fatah, have been engaged in a long-standing political rivalry, which has often led to violence and conflict between the two factions. This rivalry has also played a role in the escalation of tensions between Hamas and Israel.
5. Military escalation: The use of violence and military force by both sides, including rocket attacks by Hamas and airstrikes by Israel, has further escalated the conflict and led to civilian casualties on both sides. The cycle of violence and retaliation has perpetuated the conflict and made it difficult to achieve a lasting peace.
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Google Gemini AI
Sep 2
Major Causes of the 1967 Six-Day War between Israel and Arab states (including Hama)
1. Tensions over Water Rights: - Dispute over the control of the Jordan River and its tributaries - Israel's National Water Carrier project diverted water from Arab-controlled areas
2. Border Clashes and Retaliation: - Frequent border skirmishes along the Israeli-Jordanian and Israeli-Syrian boundaries - Israeli reprisals for Arab raids and infiltration
3. Closure of the Straits of Tiran: - Egypt's blockade of the Straits of Tiran, which provided access to the Israeli port of Eilat - Israel viewed this as a casus belli (act of war)
4. Egyptian-Jordanian Defense Pact: - A military pact between Egypt and Jordan aimed at countering Israeli aggression - Increased the perception of an imminent Arab threat
5. Arab Arms Buildup and Rhetoric: - Significant Soviet arms supplies to Arab states, including Egypt and Syria - Inflammatory anti-Israeli statements by Arab leaders
6. Israeli Preemptive Strike: - Israel's belief that it faced an imminent invasion by a coalition of Arab states - Israel launched a surprise airstrike against Egyptian airfields on June 5, 1967, initiating the war