Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Erupts Amid US Proxy War in Ukraine

Update on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict for October 9, 2023

– As US proxy war in Ukraine continues to tip in Russia’s favor, armed conflict has broken out between Palestinian-based Hamas militants and Israeli forces;

– Israeli-Palestinian tensions stem from the Israeli government’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory in violation of international law and laid out specifically in UN resolutions;

– Both Hamas and Israeli forces are currently targeting both military targets and civilians; -Israel has for decades served the purpose of a foothold for first British then American hegemony in the Middle East;

– Hamas has a problematic background that complicates Palestine’s ability to resolve hostilities between it and Israel;

– Hamas has previously served as a proxy along with Israel in the US proxy war against Syria;

– Israel is requesting additional military aid from a depleted United States, limiting its ability to escalate vs. Hamas and within the wider region;

References:

CNN – Israel formally declares war against Hamas as it battles to push militants off its soil (October 8, 2023):
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/08/mi…

Reuters – U.S. redirecting Israel-stored munitions to Ukraine – New York Times (January 2023):
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/…

Defense News – Israel orders tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells from Elbit (August 2023):
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/…

Elbit Systems – Artillery Ammunition Portfolio:
https://elbitsystems.com/product/arti…

NYT – U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis (2006):
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/22/wo…

Background

UN Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner – Five years after UNSC Resolution 2334, international accountability to end the Israeli occupation is more important than ever (December 2021):
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releas…

Reuters – Hamas ditches Assad, backs Syrian revolt (2012):
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sy…

BBC – Gaza fighters head to Syria as refugees flow in (2013):
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle…

Reuters – Hamas to restore Syria ties after 10 years of dispute, sources say (2022):
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-…

FT – Egypt cut ties to Assad regime and calls for support of rebels (2013):
https://www.ft.com/content/8088e7f6-d…

Al Jazeera – Egypt’s Sisi expresses support for Syria’s military (2016):
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/1…

Reuters – Russia calls on Israel and Palestinians to cease fire (October 7, 2023):
https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-…

Bloomberg – China Reiterates Two-State Solution Needed for Israel, Palestine (October 8, 2023):
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl…