The Palestine-Israel conflict is a century-old, bloody struggle rooted in the heart of the Middle East. With new escalations emerging almost every decade, this war is not merely a territorial dispute between two nations. Its roots run deep in history, colonialism, religion, geopolitics, and national identity. The Israeli assault on Gaza in 2023–24 has once again turned the world’s attention toward this long-standing yet unresolved crisis.
In the Depths of History: Where Did It Begin?
The conflict can be traced back to the late 19th century when the political movement of Zionism emerged in Europe. Zionists called for the establishment of a Jewish state, choosing Palestine as the desired location — a land where Arab Muslims, Christians, and Jews had coexisted for centuries.
During the British colonial rule, the 1917 Balfour Declaration marked Britain's support for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. After World War II, particularly in the aftermath of the Holocaust, many European and American states supported increased Jewish immigration to Palestine.
1948: The Birth of a State, the Displacement of a Nation
In 1948, the state of Israel was established. Simultaneously, disaster descended upon the Palestinian people—known as the Nakba or "catastrophe," when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homeland. Over the next seven decades, Israeli occupation, settlement construction, the Jerusalem issue, the refugee crisis, and the blockade of Gaza have further complicated this conflict.
Present Reality and the Humanitarian Crisis
Today, the Gaza Strip is practically an open-air prison, where around 2 million people live under Israeli blockade. Constant bombings, shortages of food and medicine, and extreme humanitarian suffering have become part of everyday life. On the other hand, Israel justifies its attacks on Gaza as necessary for its national security.
Key Causes in Brief:- Colonial history and Zionism
Land occupation and settlement expansion
Ownership and religious control of Jerusalem
Refugee crisis and the demand for return
Blockade and suppression of Gaza
Biased roles of the international community
The Palestine-Israel war is not just a territorial conflict — it is a profound crisis of history, identity, and justice. A lasting solution cannot be achieved through military means alone. What is truly needed is a resolution based on political will, historical acknowledgment, and justice.
Curtacy: Online Desk, Janakanta
