Janice R. Andrews
On October 7, one hundred days ago, heavily armed Hamas fighters broke across the Gaza border, posing an unprecedented threat to Israel. Kibbutzim, military installations, and border towns were the targets of the surprise onslaught, which left at least 1,200 Israeli deaths. With an emphasis on the approximately 130 hostages that Hamas continues to hold in Gaza with an unknown future, the events were remembered in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
During the Nova event, which was targeted by Hamas, approximately 360 people lost their lives and many more were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Over 23,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—were reported dead in the Israeli bombardment that followed, with many more thought to be buried under debris.
Families of those who vanished during a commemorative ceremony in Tel Aviv voiced their dissatisfaction with the paucity of information available about their loved ones. Yossi Schneider, a kidnap victim’s relative, lambasted the international community for its lack of response and the hostages’ restricted access to Red Cross assistance.
As Israel retaliated with an unparalleled bombing assault, Gaza, from north to south, has been extensively damaged. Israel says it has degraded Hamas so much in the north of Gaza that it is hardly unusable. That being said, 85% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, resulting in a massive civilian cost.
The extent of civilian suffering is drawing international pressure for a ceasefire, especially from Israel’s ally, the US. Speaking about Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing,” President Biden said the country is losing support around the world.
Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy forecasts that the war will last longer, emphasising that it will depend on American forbearance. He makes it clear that resistance and reprisals will happen if Israel doesn’t leave Gaza.
With Israeli forces still targeting Hamas strongholds, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for the region’s foreseeable future—especially for Gaza’s civilian population. Israel maintains that the battle will stop only when Hamas is totally destroyed, which will increase unpredictability in the area.
