After the weekend surprise attack in Israel by Hamas, which killed more than 700 people in Israel, among them at least 260 at a packed festival of music that turned into one of the worst massacres of civilians in the country, the Israeli government declared a state of war on Sunday. Furthermore, he promised Search and capture Hamas fighters and punish the Gaza Strip.

After formally declaring war, the Israeli military has responded by attacking Hamas fighters and intensifying its operations. bombings on Gazawhere hundreds of people have died since Saturday’s unprecedented raid.

What is Hamas

Hamas, those in charge of last Saturday’s bloody attack and Israel’s main objective is a Palestinian political and military organization who governs the Gaza Strip. It was formed in 1987 and its main objective is the liberation of Gazadestroy Israel and replace it with an Islamic State.

This is not the first armed conflict between Hamas and Israel. since the Islamic organization seized power in Gaza in 2007. Between those wars, Hamas has fired or allowed other groups to fire thousands of rockets into Israel, and carried out other deadly attacks. Israel has also repeatedly attacked Hamas with airstrikes and, together with Egypt, has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007.

Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is considered a terrorist group for Israel, United States, European Union and United Kingdom, as well as by other world powers. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Hamas military organization does not act alone since it has the support of Iran, which finances it and provides it with weapons and training.

Why are they attacking now?

The Hamas attack last Saturday occurred unexpectedly and without warning, but the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has continued over time and It has taken place at a time of increasing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. Furthermore, the militia operation took place during the Israeli holiday of Simchat Torah and, curiously, just one day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the Arab-Israeli war in 1973, known as Yom Kippur by Israelis, which lasted three weeks.

There are many factors that must be taken into account when analyzing the conflict, but it is worth highlighting that this year has been the deadliest in history for Palestinians West Bank, occupied by Israel, which could have motivated Hamas to hit Israel. According to the BBC, it is also possible that Hamas wanted to score a important propaganda victory against Israel to increase its popularity among ordinary Palestinians.

On the other hand, Israel already had some 4,500 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons and Hamas could have taken so many Israelis prisoner in order to press for his release.

Experts also raise the possibility that the attack was orchestrated by Iran, despite the fact that the Iranian ambassador to the UN has denied his country’s involvement. In this sense, Iran and Hamas are also firmly opposed to the growing prospect of a historic peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and Israel’s military response could play into their interests if the attacks provoke widespread anger in the Arab world.