On October 7 last year, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, marking one year since the assault. Since then, Israel has been launching continuous counterattacks on Palestine. The Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of thousands, including women and children, and have displaced millions of civilians. The health ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, reports that by October 4, 2024, around 41,802 people have died due to Israeli strikes. Despite numerous global attempts, peace and reconciliation between both sides remain unachieved, and the Middle East is engulfed in increasing tensions.
The conflict has now spilled into neighboring Lebanon, where violent skirmishes between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah fighters are taking place in the south of the country. Let's explore what's unfolded from last October to now...
Following an attack by Hamas in southern Israel, firefights erupted between Israeli forces and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah at the Lebanon-Israel border, resulting in the death of 1,139 individuals and over 200 capturing. Israel responded with counterattacks, leading to over 41,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, most being women and children.
On 8th October, Hezbollah claimed solidarity with Palestinians by launching directed rockets and artillery towards three military posts in the Shebaa Farms region. The Israeli military responded by shelling areas in Lebanon from where the mortar fire originated.
According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), from October 7, 2023, to September 6, 2024, approximately 82% of the 7,845 attacks occurred were carried out by the Israeli military, while Hezbollah and other armed groups executed 1,768 attacks, resulting in around 32 Israeli deaths.
1 April, 2024: Israeli Attack on Iranian Embassy in Damascus
An Israeli missile strike completely demolished Iran's consulate inside Damascus, claiming the lives of key IRGC commanders, including Major General Mohammad Reza Jahedi and his deputy, among 13 others. Israel has historically targeted Iranian military establishments in Syria, but this marked the first attack on a diplomatic compound, prompting Iran to vow retaliation.
13 April, 2024: Iran Launches 300 Missiles at Israel
Two weeks after the attack on its consulate in Syria, Iran initiated a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel, marking the first direct missile strikes into Israeli territory by Iran.
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that most projectiles were intercepted outside the country’s borders with the assistance of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Jordan also helped intercept some missiles traversing its airspace.
31 July, 2024: Death of Ismail Haniyeh
The political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran on the morning of July 31, when an airstrike targeted the building where he was staying. Both Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the assassination. This incident occurred shortly after Israel targeted a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
Just a day before his death, Haniyeh was in Tehran attending the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pejshkian.
The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, stated that the assassination of Haniyeh has escalated the war with Israel to a
