Yet for observers such as former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, the events that have unfolded in the region over the past days were “surprising but predictable”.
On the ground, from which I have just returned, there is a clear sense of growing despair and latent violence among the Palestinian population. No one is talking about “peace” any more, but rather “the end of the occupation”, as young people evoke “resistance, by all means”.
This is the context in which Hamas carried out its attack. And the militant organisation used this despair to legitimise itself and win the support of a section of Palestinian public opinion.
In Gaza, where Hamas operates, 2.3 million Palestinians are crammed into 365 square km, making the Gaza Strip one of the world’s most densely populated territories. More than two thirds of the population live below the poverty line and, according to the Israeli NGO B’Tselem, the unemployment rate is 75 per cent among people under 29.
Since 2007, this territory has also been subject to an Israeli blockade by sea, air and land, which almost entirely deprives it of contact with the outside world.
Gazans are regularly cut off from water and electricity, and depend mainly on international aid. Entry into and exit from Gaza depend on permits given by Israeli forces and are extremely rare, earning it the nickname of “open-air prison”.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 14, 2023-Ausgabe von The Statesman.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 14, 2023-Ausgabe von The Statesman.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Kohli's return adds flair as India eye series win in Indore
Afghanistan will hope for an improved opening startfrom Gurbaz skipperlborahim Zadran
AFC Asian Cup 2023: Resilient India go down 0-2 to Australia in opener
The Indian football team faced a challenging start in the AFC Asian Cup campaign, succumbing to a 0-2 defeat against Australia in the opening match of Group B at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, AI Rayyan on Saturday.
India names spin-heavy squad for first two Tests vs England
Theselectors recalled Kuldeep Axarin the spin-heavy squad along with Ashwin and Jadeja
Indian Army launching Op Sarvashakti' to counter Pakistan's attempts to revive terrorism in J&K
In a major step towards thwarting Pakistan's attempts to increase terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army is launching Operation Sarvashakti, where the security forces will be targeting the terrorists operating on both sides of the Pir Panjal mountain ranges in the Union Territory.
Ayodhya sees massive security beef-up
Yogi governmenthas involved technological assistance alongside the deployment of personnel of security agencies to achieve the desired result
Over 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza
Health Ministry in Gaza said that 135 Palestinians were killed in last24 hours, bringing the overall toll to 23,843
PowerGrid provides equipment to DC Samba under CSR initiative
PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) handed four Vehicles mounted road Vacuum Sweeper Machines, one Ballistic separator & one JCB loader to District Development Commissioner, Samba under Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative on 13 January.
Kalyani railway station undergoes makeover
Under Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme Kalyani in a significant stride towards modernizing railway infrastructure and prioritizing passenger comfort, the Kalyani Railway Station is currently undergoing an extensive phase of development and enhancement.
Websites of top crypto exchanges like Binance, Kucoin blocked in India
The websites of some top global cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Kucoin, OKX, among others, were blocked in India on January 12.
Goyal rules out lifting export curbs on wheat, rice & sugar
There is no proposalas of now toremove exportrestrictions on wheat, rice and sugar. India willnotimport wheat orsugar either, says Commerce and Industry Minister