In October 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people. They also took in many hostages, including Israeli civilians, soldiers, families, dual citizens, and even already deceased individuals.
This attack was prompted by long-standing tensions between Palestine and Israel. Hamas claimed it was an act of “defending” Palestinians after years of blockade on Gaza, military raids in the West Bank, and restrictions on Palestinian movement and life conditions by the Israelis. Israel responded by sending countless airstrikes to the country and inciting a ground invasion of Gaza, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. This caused a rise in conflict, escalating the long-standing tensions between Israel and Hamas.
In early October of 2025, Israel and Hamas declared a cease-fire. Israel agreed to stop sending air strikes and ease the blockade around Gaza in return for Hamas halting their rocket fire and returning hostages to Israel. This cease-fire held great importance, as it was one of the few breaks in attacks since 2023.
However, on October 28th, 2025, Israel launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, shattering the fragile peace. They claimed it was in response to Hamas breaking a cease-fire agreement, though it’s not clear whether this claim is true or not. The strike killed around 100 people, including young children, and injured 250. This strike from Israel became a test of the current cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The attack became known as one of the deadliest nights since the tentative truce began.
“I support Israel’s right to exist, but don’t always agree with the Israeli government’s choices,” shared an anonymous student. “It’s a hard situation to definitively be on one side. Both sides have made mistakes, and neither side is completely right.” The student expressed that the best solution would be a two-state plan, meaning both sides get land. However, this is a controversial take. While there are many different opinions surrounding the situation, the student is clear on one opinion: Hamas is bad, Hamas is a terrorist group, and Hamas should be wiped out. In terms of the airstrike on October 28th, the student had mixed feelings. Though they understand Israel wanting to defend themselves, they were very disappointed that Israel broke the cease-fire. “Israel’s government can be erratic, and doesn’t always make the best choices for everyone.”
As the conflict persists, the situation in Gaza and Israel continues to change by the day. Officials and international groups are closely watching any progress towards future cease-fire agreements. As events unfold, more updates are expected.
