The origins of the Hamas-Israel war explained | ABC News

Summary

The script delves into the historical roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, starting from World War I through to the establishment of Israel and the ongoing disputes over territories like the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It highlights the UN's division plan, the Arab rejection, subsequent wars, and the current situation with Israel's occupation and blockade. The narrative also touches on the rise of Hamas and the challenges faced by Palestinians, including high unemployment and restricted movement, amid escalating tensions around religious sites and holidays.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The script begins with historical context, tracing the conflict back to World War I and Britain's control over the region, which had an Arab majority and a Jewish minority.
• 🌐 The script mentions the Holocaust and the subsequent increase in Jewish migration, leading to the United Nations' 1947 decision to divide the British mandate for Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state.
• 🇮🇱 Israel's acceptance of the UN's partition plan resulted in its formation as a state, while the Arab side's rejection led to a war.
• 📈 The script describes the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, known as the 'Nakba' or catastrophe, and the subsequent control of different territories by Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.
• 📅 The Six-Day War in 1967 is highlighted as a pivotal event where Israel seized control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, leading to ongoing occupation and international objections.
• 🏠 The occupation has resulted in Israeli civilians living in disputed territories for various reasons, causing displacement and conflict with Palestinians.
• 📣 The script discusses the formation of Hamas in the late 1980s as a response to growing frustrations, with the group's goal being the destruction of Israel.
• 🗳️ Hamas won democratic elections in 2006 but was isolated internationally due to its refusal to renounce violence against Israel.
• 🚫 The Gaza Strip's situation is detailed, with Israel's withdrawal in 2005 but continued control over airspace, sea, and crossings, leading to a blockade and harsh living conditions.
• 🕋 Jerusalem's significance as a holy city for three major religions is mentioned as a point of contention, with religious holidays often escalating tensions.
• ⚔️ The script concludes by noting the potential for further escalation in the region, as recent attacks indicate an ongoing cycle of conflict.

Q & A

What historical event is mentioned at the beginning of the script that had a significant impact on the region?

The script begins by mentioning World War I, when Britain took control of the region that is now known as Israel and Palestine.

What was the demographic composition of the region during the time of British control post-World War I?

During the time of British control, the region had an Arab majority and a Jewish minority.

What significant event in the 20th century led to a large increase in Jewish migration to the region?

The Holocaust targeting Jews during World War II led to a significant increase in Jewish migration to the region.

What was the United Nations' proposal in 1947 regarding the division of the British mandate for Palestine?

In 1947, the United Nations proposed dividing the British mandate for Palestine into a Jewish State and an Arab State.

Why did the Arab side reject the UN's partition plan in 1947?

The Arab side rejected the UN's partition plan because they did not agree with the division of the land into separate Jewish and Arab states.

What is the term Palestinians use to describe the displacement that occurred after the 1948 war?

Palestinians refer to the displacement that occurred after the 1948 war as the 'Nakba', or catastrophe.

What territories did Israel seize control of during the Six-Day War in 1967?

During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel seized control of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights.

What is the status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip according to the UN regarding Israeli occupation?

The UN considers the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip as illegal.

Why do Israeli civilians choose to live in the occupied territories despite objections from the international community?

Israeli civilians choose to live in the occupied territories for various reasons, including political and religious beliefs, as well as for the affordability of housing.

What is the primary goal of Hamas, as mentioned in the script?

The primary goal of Hamas, as mentioned in the script, is the destruction of Israel.

How does the Israeli blockade of Gaza affect the living conditions there?

The Israeli blockade of Gaza has led to tough living conditions, with a high unemployment rate of 50%, as well as deteriorating health systems and infrastructure.

What is the significance of Jerusalem in the ongoing conflict, and how does it relate to religious tensions?

Jerusalem is significant in the ongoing conflict because it is home to holy sites from three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Clashes in the region often escalate around major religious holidays.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Historical Context of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

This paragraph sets the stage for understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict by tracing its roots back to World War I and the subsequent British mandate. It outlines the 1947 UN proposal to divide Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, the formation of Israel after the Arab rejection, and the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war. The paragraph also covers the Six-Day War in 1967, which led to Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, territories considered illegal by the UN. The narrative touches on the reasons for Israeli settlements in these areas and the resulting displacement and protests by Palestinians.

🚨 The Reality of Occupation and Blockade in Palestine

This section delves into the harsh realities of the Israeli occupation and blockade, particularly focusing on the Gaza Strip. It describes the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza in 2005 and the continued control over its airspace, sea, and crossings, leading to a dire humanitarian situation with high unemployment and a deteriorating health and infrastructure system. The paragraph also introduces Hamas, a group formed in the late 1980s with the goal of Israel's destruction, which has been designated a terrorist organization by many countries, including Australia.

🗳️ Hamas' Role and the International Response

The paragraph discusses Hamas's rise to power through democratic elections in 2006, its refusal to renounce violence against Israel, and the subsequent isolation by the international community. It explains how Hamas lost control of Gaza a year later and the ongoing Israeli military authority in the West Bank, affecting the lives of millions of Palestinians who resist the occupation and blockade.

🕌 Jerusalem: A Flashpoint for Religious and Political Tensions

This part of the script highlights Jerusalem as a central point of contention, being home to holy sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It explains how clashes in the region often intensify around major religious holidays, such as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur or the Islamic month of Ramadan, indicating the deep-seated religious and political tensions that exacerbate the conflict.

⚔️ Escalation of Violence and the Threat of Further Conflict

The final paragraph of the script warns of the potential for further escalation in the conflict, underscored by recent attacks. It suggests that while the region has long been fraught with tension, the current situation indicates that things could get even worse, implying the need for urgent attention and resolution efforts to prevent further violence.

Keywords

💡Israel

Israel is a country in the Middle East, central to the conflict described in the video. It was established in 1948 following the United Nations' decision to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The video discusses Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories, its role in the ongoing conflict, and its historical context.

💡Palestinian militants

Palestinian militants refer to armed groups from Palestinian territories that engage in acts of violence against Israel. The script mentions a 'major terror attack' launched by these militants, highlighting the ongoing violence and its impact on the conflict.

💡West Bank

The West Bank is a Palestinian territory that has been under Israeli military occupation since the Six-Day War in 1967. The occupation is a significant point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the UN considers it illegal. The script discusses the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians.

💡Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is another Palestinian territory, densely populated and under an Israeli blockade since Israel's withdrawal in 2005. The blockade has severe humanitarian consequences, as described in the script, including high unemployment rates and a deteriorating health system.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian political organization with a militant wing, founded in the late 1980s. It is considered a terrorist group by many countries, including Australia, as mentioned in the script. Hamas won democratic elections in 2006 but was later isolated by the international community due to its refusal to renounce violence against Israel.

💡British mandate for Palestine

The British mandate for Palestine refers to the period between the two World Wars when Britain governed the region under a League of Nations mandate. The script mentions the 1947 UN decision to divide this mandate into a Jewish State and an Arab State, which led to the formation of Israel and the subsequent conflict.

💡Six-Day War

The Six-Day War, which occurred in 1967, was a conflict in which Israel seized control of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights from neighboring Arab countries. The script describes this as a pivotal event that expanded Israel's control over Palestinian territories.

💡International Community

The international community in the script refers to the global body of nations and international organizations that have a stake in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their objections to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the blockade of Gaza are highlighted as significant factors in the ongoing dispute.

💡Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a city of profound religious significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The script discusses Jerusalem as a point of contention in the conflict, with clashes often escalating around major religious holidays.

💡Nakba

Nakba, or 'catastrophe' in Arabic, is a term used by Palestinians to describe the events around the establishment of Israel and the subsequent displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The script mentions this as a key event that shaped the Palestinian narrative of the conflict.

💡Holocaust

The Holocaust refers to the genocide of six million Jews during World War II by Nazi Germany. The script discusses the Holocaust as a crucial historical event that led to global support for the establishment of Israel as a Jewish homeland.

Highlights

Israel declares a state of war following a major terror attack in the Palestinian territories.

The conflict's roots trace back to World War I when Britain took control of the region with an Arab majority and a Jewish minority.

The 1947 UN decision to divide Palestine into a Jewish State and an Arab State was accepted by the Jewish side but rejected by the Arab side, leading to war.

The term 'Nakba' or 'Catastrophe' refers to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians after the 1948 war.

In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel seized the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, territories considered illegal under UN resolutions.

Israeli civilians live in the occupied territories for various reasons, including political, religious, and economic factors.

Palestinian protests and demonstrations against displacement and occupation are common in the region.

Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 did not end the blockade, with control over airspace, sea, and goods crossings.

Gaza's conditions under the blockade are dire, with a 50% unemployment rate and a deteriorating health system and infrastructure.

Hamas, formed in the late 1980s, aims for Israel's destruction and is considered a terrorist group by many countries, including Australia.

Hamas won democratic elections in 2006 but was isolated internationally due to its refusal to renounce violence against Israel.

Israel continues to occupy the West Bank, where the Israeli Army holds ultimate authority over Palestinians.

The Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza do not accept Israeli occupation or blockade.

Jerusalem, with its holy sites for three major religions, is a focal point of contention and often the site of clashes during religious holidays.

The region has faced long-standing tension, but recent attacks indicate a potential for further escalation.

Transcripts

[Music]

Israel says it's at war after

Palestinian militants launched a major

terror attack at the center of this

conflict is Israel's military occupation

of one Palestinian territory the West

Bank and its blockade of the other the

Gaza Strip to understand what's

happening it helps to go back to World

War I when Britain took control of the

region the land at the time had an Arab

majority and a Jewish minority an Arab

Rebellion and ongoing Jewish migration

was followed by the Holocaust targeting

Jews in World War II and a big increase

in Jewish migration in 1947 the United

Nations with Australia being a key

driver agreed that what had been known

as the British mandate for Palestine

would be divided into a Jewish State and

an Arab State the Jewish side accepted

this hence the state of Israel was

formed but the Arab side rejected it

sparking a one-year War War as Britain

withdrew but as the years went on Israel

took more land than had been agreed by

the UN Palestinians call this the NABA

or catastrophe as hundreds of thousands

of Palestinians

fled at the end of the war Israel

controlled all the land in blue except

for Gaza here which Egypt controlled the

West Bank which was controlled by Jordan

and the Golden Heights controlled by

Syria in 1967 in what's known as The Six

Day War Israel seizes the West Bank the

Gaza Strip and the Golden Heights Israel

then went on to occupy thousands of

kilometers of Palestinian territory

which the UN says is illegal this is

what we now refer to as the occupied

territories despite objections from the

International Community Israeli

civilians choose to live in the areas

for political and religious reasons or

for cheap

homes here's where a lot of conflict

happens as Palestinians are displaced we

are protesting and demonstrating

against in 2005 Israel withdrew from the

Gaza Strip a small coastal territory

home to 2.3 million people one of the

most densely populated places in the

world Israel controls the airspace and

the Sea and it controls the crossings

used to ship most of the goods in out

the Crossing into Egypt is mainly used

by

people conditions for gazans under the

blockade are tough with an unemployment

rate of 50% as well as deteriorating

Health Systems and

infrastructure the group Hamas was

formed in the late 1980s as frustrations

grew hamas's goal is dedicated to

Israel's destruction and it's been

designated a terrorist group by many

countries including

Australia Hamas which has a militant

wing and a political arm won Democratic

elections in 2006 but wouldn't renounce

violence against Israel and was isolated

by the International Community it ceased

control of Gaza a year later and while

Israel withdrew from Gaza it continues

to occupy the West Bank this means the

Israeli Army is the ultimate Authority

in the West Bank the 3 million

Palestinians there and the 2.3 million

in Gaza

do not want an Israeli occupation or a

blockade another point of contention is

Jerusalem it's home to holy sites from

three major religions Judaism

Christianity and Islam clashes in the

region often escalate around major

religious holidays like the Jewish

holiday of yam Kapur or

Ramadan this is a region that's face

tension for years but these attacks show

things could escalate even further

ch