On October 6, 1973, a coalition of Arab nations launched surprise attacks on Israeli-occupied territories, starting the Yom Kippur War. Israel retaliated, and the fighting mainly occurred in the Golan Heights, Sinai, and other areas under Israeli control since the Six-Day War in 1967. The conflict escalated when then-US President Richard Nixon issued a global nuclear alert. As the war intensified, the Arab members of OPEC suspended oil deliveries to western countries supporting Israel, triggering a worldwide energy crisis. After two weeks and nearly 20,000 deaths, Israel emerged as the victorious party and gained more land.
Fast forward to October 6, 2023, exactly 50 years later, when Hamas launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” raining over 5,000 rockets on Israel. Hamas called on “resistance fighters” in the West Bank, Arab nations, and Islamic nations to join the battle against Israel, accusing it of illegally occupying Palestinian land. The recent violence was attributed by Hamas officials to long-standing tensions between Israel and Palestinians, especially the dispute over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which holds great significance for both Muslims and Jews. This conflict echoes the 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2021.
Hamas’ choice of October 6 carries significance due to its connection to the 1973 conflict and its timing on Simchat Torah, a significant day in Judaism. Israeli media has been commemorating the Yom Kippur War, drawing parallels between the current conflict and events from decades ago. While Israelis planned to celebrate Simchat Torah, Hamas disrupted the festivities with missile attacks and a sensational land-sea-air infiltration, causing hundreds of casualties. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “state of war” and launched an offensive against Hamas, particularly in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has called on its fighters in the West Bank, as well as Arab and Islamic nations, to join the battle against Israel. Consequently, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank remain high.