[Skyline of Jerusalem. Photo credits to Pixabay]

The week of October 9th saw Israel declaring war against the newly classified terrorist group, Hamas.

Hamas is an Islamic organization operating within the Palestinian State.

They, along with many other factions, believe that Israel is the enemy and advocate for the release of Palestinian lands.

Unlike many Palestinian factions, Hamas refused to engage with Israel and opposed the Oslo Accords involving Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The Accords aimed for a free Palestine state, leading to the creation of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Hamas view themselves as an alternative to the PA, criticizing its failed peace initiatives with Israel and claiming attacks against Israel.

They have kidnapped Israelis and citizens of other nations in order to use them as “human shields.”

Hamas are keen on provoking an all-out war with Israel, drawing support from the Middle East.

Just recently, however, Hamas launched major attacks as militants located in the city of Gaza fired a barrage of rockets at nearby Israeli towns before breaking into Israel via a fortified fence on both sides and engaging in mass shootings of civilians beyond the fence.

The situation in Gaza is getting worse by the minute due to its dense population and an Israeli blockade preventing new supplies.

The enclave’s only power station outage has left hospitals in dire conditions, with fuel sources expected to run out.

Hamas airstrikes continue to wreak havoc in Israel, targeting 88 education centers and claiming the lives of12 UN personnel.

The Palestine Red Crescent has warned the Israeli government that there is no safe location for evacuating citizens.

This comes in response to the government’s directive for half of the Israeli population to evacuate south.

The conflict involves wider countries, with Iran supplying money to Hamas and the U.S. closely monitoring the situation.

The U.S. orders carriers to enter the Eastern Mediterranean in anticipation, as Israel declares war on not just Hamas and Palestine but also Syria and Lebanon, backed by Iran.

Both sides suffer losses, and progress is elusive.

Despite the early stage, much has occurred, and the situation remains dynamic with daily events across the Middle East, garnering prayers and support for both Israelis and Palestinians.