Israel and Hamas October 2023 Conflict: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

"On October 7, 2023, Gaza Strip-based militants led by the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, or FTO) engaged in a series of surprise attacks by land, sea, and air against Israel. The assault targeted Israeli military bases and civilian areas during the final Jewish high holiday, just over 50 years after the Egypt-Syria surprise attack that sparked the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Hamas reportedly receives much of its funding, weapons, and training from Iran. The Biden Administration has stated publicly that it does not have evidence that the Iranian government had a planning role. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has described Iran as “complicit in this attack in a broad sense” given the level of support it has provided Hamas for years. The attacks’ scope and lethality against Israel have no precedent in the 16 years Hamas has controlled Gaza. The nature of the violence stunned Israelis; apparent intelligence and operational failures in preventing the assault surprised Israeli, U.S., and other Western officials.
 

In response, Israel’s cabinet formally declared war on Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting that Israel will win a long and difficult campaign. As it seeks to keep militants out of Israeli territory, target them in densely populated Gaza, and recover hostages, the Israeli government has halted the supply of electricity, food, water, and fuel to Gaza. Israeli officials have said that fundamental changes to the status quo are necessary to reestablish security for Israel, but have not specified whether they intend to attempt to end Hamas’s rule in Gaza. Following the attacks, Israel has initiated an aerial bombardment campaign in Gaza, mobilized hundreds of thousands of reserve troops, and repositioned ground forces close to Gaza. On October 13, the Israel Defense Forces called for the evacuation of all civilians in Gaza City “from their homes southward for their own safety and protection.” Hamas called on people to remain in place. U.N. officials expressed concern about potentially grave humanitarian consequences.
 

On October 11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formed an emergency unity government that has brought former Defense Minister Benny Gantz into the existing coalition, supposedly for the duration of the war in Gaza. Netanyahu, Gantz, and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are to comprise a cabinet to manage war-related efforts, and have agreed that no unrelated legislation or government resolutions—including on Israel’s judicial system—will be advanced during that time. .."Israel and Hamas