Israeli Reverse Migration Rates Surge Following Deadly Hamas Attack

Israeli reverse migration rates have significantly increased after October 7, 2023, when thousands of heavily armed Hamas fighters broke through the Gaza Strip's fortified border and launched a brutal attack on Israel, according to reports. The unprecedented assault, which has been compared to the Holocaust, resulted in the deaths of 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 766 civilians and 373 security personnel, and the capture of 253 Israelis and foreigners.

In response to the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war against Hamas, describing the militant group as the "new Nazis." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have since pursued an open-ended military campaign in Gaza, driven by rage and the desire for revenge. The conflict has led to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, with around two-thirds being children and women, and has rendered over a million Palestinians homeless.

Why this matters: The ongoing Israel-Gaza war, now in its seventh month, has resulted in a near-total siege of the Gaza Strip, cutting off essential supplies and leading to a humanitarian crisis. The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential for a broader regional war, with Israel and Iran trading fire directly this month.

The IDF has intensified attacks across Gaza, with residents reporting some of the heaviest shelling in weeks and new orders to evacuate northern regions of the enclave. Israeli officials have called the northern Gaza region a "dangerous combat zone" and have indicated plans for an offensive on the city of Rafah, where a million civilians have sought shelter. Despite warnings from the U.S. against such an invasion, Israel has signaled its intention to expand a designated humanitarian zone along the coast to accommodate more civilians in case of a major ground operation in Rafah.

The war has had significant international repercussions, with large protests occurring across the world and countries such as South Africa launching proceedings at the International Court of Justice, alleging that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass a $26 billion aid package that includes $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which experts say is on the brink of famine.

The head of the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, says the agency has never been under as sustained an attack as it is now in an Israeli campaign to dismantle its activities in Gaza and possibly elsewhere in the Middle East. Lazzarini emphasized the need for empathy and compassion for both Israelis and Palestinians, as UNRWA faces the possibility of being weakened or even dismantled.

The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. The article suggests that the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is perpetuated by religion, mythology, and deep-rooted anxieties rather than concrete interests and calculated strategies, and that conflict management is the only real option for both sides and their international interlocutors. As the head of intelligence for the IDF announced his resignation and retirement following the October 7th Hamas attack, the future of the conflict remains uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• Hamas attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023 killed 1,139 Israelis, captured 253.
• Israel declared war on Hamas, IDF campaign killed 34,000 Palestinians, 2/3 civilians.
• Ongoing Israel-Gaza war led to humanitarian crisis, concerns of regional war with Iran.
• UNRWA faces attacks, possible dismantling in Israel's campaign in Gaza and Middle East.
• Conflict perpetuated by religion, mythology, deep-rooted anxieties, not concrete interests.