The Hamas Attacks Are A Significant Escalation in Regional Tension

  • The meticulously orchestrated attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, targeted Israel with an unprecedented level of violence and coordination.
  • Women, children, and the elderly were victimized and the Israeli police are opening investigations into widespread sexual violence that occurred during the terror attack. In total, over 1,200 were killed, 3,200 wounded, and 240 taken hostage. The ensuing conflict—the most devastating in Israel since 1973—has led to massive casualties and a humanitarian crisis.

These Attacks Need To Be Seen in Their Historical Context

  • Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 and has continued to advocate for the establishment of an Islamic state and the destruction of Israel. The group has engaged in numerous conflicts with Israel, launching thousands of rockets and executing various lethal attacks.
  • Israel has countered these actions with frequent air strikes and military incursions into Gaza in 2008 and 2014. Both Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, citing security reasons.
  • Hamas, including its military faction, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the UK, and other nations. The group receives support from Iran in the form of funding, weapons, and training.

It Is Imperative For the U.S. To Adopt A Robust And Decisive Stance

  • The Biden administration, and all Americans, needs to consider what a further emboldened Iran and the weakening, even erasure, of Israel would mean for the world and for the United States.
  • U.S. policymakers should consider intensifying military aid to Israel, conducting targeted operations against Iranian-backed militias that threaten U.S. interests in the Middle East, and leveraging diplomatic channels to isolate and penalize Iran and its proxies for their support of terrorism.

Click HERE to read the policy focus and learn more about the current Israeli-Hamas conflict and the historical background of the region.