The latest conflict between Palestine and Israel is the result of disputes that started years ago. This time Hamas is in the mood for an all-out fight. The fighters have entered the Israeli border and are equipped with modern weapons. Rocket attacks are being launched from Gaza on Israeli cities. In the meantime, let us understand how Israel has reduced Palestine, a large area, into a small island in the last 75 years.
Now such a war has broken out between Palestine and Israel that the existence of Gaza-Palestine has become a threat. For example, in response to Hamas's 'Al-Aqsa Storm Military Operation', Israel has launched 'Operation Iron Swords'. The Israeli Air Force has entered Gaza and is raining bombs. Wreaking havoc. There is screaming everywhere. There are queues of patients in hospitals and the people of the city are fearless and are saying “Enough is enough.”
Why did war break out between Palestine and Israel?
The situation in the Gaza Strip was worsening for the past few days and people of the Jewish community in Jerusalem were taking out a procession and trying to enter the Al-Aqsa complex, the holy mosque of Muslims. Israel has always been accused of adopting a policy of provocation. According to the claims, in the last few months, the way the Israeli army infiltrated the houses of Palestinians, vandalized Al-Aqsa, killed civilians and carried out target killings – the war is the result of all these reasons.
How Israel was created by dividing Palestine?
There is a long history of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Since 1946, Palestine has been fighting for land, sovereignty and its security. Israel came into existence after the Zionist movement in the late 19th century. The objective of this movement was to establish a homeland for the Jews in Palestine. During this movement, tensions increased between Jewish and Arab countries. A war-like situation arose in the Middle East.
Israel-Palestine Map
Despite this, the US-dominated United Nations decided to divide Palestine and establish Israel. Arabs and Palestinians opposed this. A war broke out between Arabs and Jews who wanted to create Israel and with the capture of Palestine lands, a disputed country Israel came into existence in 1948.
Occupation of Palestine lands in 1948
Due to the war of 1946-48, thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes. The UN had already prepared the two-state formula. Limits were also set. The West Bank and East Jerusalem were to be given to Israel, but during the war Israel captured Palestinian cities beyond it. This worsened the situation and created anger among the Palestinians. In the years that followed, the situation here remained tense. Before the war, the Jewish population in Palestine was only 6 percent. It is said that during this period, 7.5 lakh Palestinians were displaced and Jews occupied 78 percent of the land.
Three lakh Palestinians were displaced in the 1967 war
There have been three major wars between Arabia and Israel so far. Israel achieved great success in the second war of 1967. The West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip were completely captured. Captured the lands of Syria-Jordan. This war presented a new set of challenges for both Israel and Palestine. This was the period when Israel killed the remaining Palestinians from the West Bank, captured their homes and killed a large number of people. More or less three lakh Palestinians were forced to leave their homes.
At present the population of Palestinian Arabs in Israel is 16 lakhs and they have to use Israeli passports. During 1948, Jews destroyed 530 villages of Palestinians and started living in their own houses. East Jerusalem, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is also located, has a large population of Palestinians, but this part was captured by Israel in the 1967 war. After this, the Jews also created a separate controversy regarding the mosque.
Oslo agreement between Israel and Palestine
The Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993, an attempt was made to establish peace in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but it is inconclusive till date. Although the peace agreement included issues related to the final status of Jerusalem, borders, settlements and the right of return of Palestinian refugees, this agreement did not yield any results and today the situation is even worse.
There were large-scale protests between 1987 and 1993. An attempt was made to draw the world's attention to the plight of Palestinians. Similar efforts were made between 2000 and 2005 and during this time too large scale protests were seen but the world remained silent. Human rights organizations raised their voice against access to resources, freedom of movement, demolition of homes and excessive use of force by Israeli security forces, but the world remained a mute spectator.
How is the situation now?
In 1980, Israel passed the Jerusalem Law, which claimed that “Jerusalem, whole and united, is the capital of Israel”. This is a violation of international law, which states that the city remains under United Nations control because of its importance to the three Abrahamic religions. Although Israel claims Jerusalem as its undivided capital, this may not be realistic for those living there. More than 140,000 Palestinians in Jerusalem have been sealed off by a 700 kilometer long concrete wall. Israel was building this wall since 2002.
There are more or less 3.5 lakh Jewish population living in Jerusalem. There are 4500 Arab Muslims here. Apart from these, East Jerusalem, which is under the control of Palestine, was captured by Israel in 1967 and currently Jews are in minority in the population here. There are 3.45 lakh Palestinian Muslims and 2.2 lakh Jews. A situation of tension arises in this area every day. The atrocities of the Israeli army have been seen in these areas. Recently, the Israeli army carried out an airstrike in Jenin city, after which the situation worsened further. Israeli forces are seen attacking the Al-Aqsa compound, infiltrating, shooting and killing Palestinians. Now the latest war poses a threat to the existence of Palestine and especially the Gaza Strip.
How is the West Bank governed?
An agreement between Israel and the Palestine Authority divides the occupied West Bank into three areas – A, B and C. Area A is under the control of Palestine, which is 18 percent of the total West Bank. Area B is 22 percent of the total West Bank and is jointly controlled by Israeli-Palestinian and the Palestine Authority looks after the issues of education, health and economy, so the Israelis have the right to external security and this makes the Israelis stronger here.
Israel occupies 60 percent of the West Bank, with 600,000 to 750,000 Israelis living in at least 250 illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and violate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its population to territory it occupies.
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