Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Conflict:
AKI - MAR 5, 2026
History, Humanitarian Crisis, and Impact
The Israel–Palestine conflict remains a central issue in the Middle East. Israel was established in 1948 after a UN plan partitioned British-controlled Palestine. War followed, and Israel gained more land than the plan allotted. Jordan took control of the West Bank, and Egypt held the Gaza Strip. In 1967, Israel captured both territories. Since then, West Bank settlements have expanded, and after Hamas seized Gaza in 2007, Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade.
Governance in West Bank and Gaza
Israel is a parliamentary democracy. The West Bank is partly governed by the Palestinian Authority, but Israel maintains security control and continues settlement expansion in large parts of the territory. Gaza is ruled by Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S., and the EU, and remains under an Israeli–Egyptian blockade that restricts movement and supplies.
Recent Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
Since October 2023, the conflict has escalated sharply:
• Over 60,000 Palestinians killed and more than 139,000 wounded in Gaza, mostly civilians, including many children.
• About 2,000 Israelis killed in rocket attacks, cross-border assaults, and military operations.
• Nearly 1.9 million Palestinians displaced in Gaza.
• Destruction of hospitals, homes, and other infrastructure, worsening shortages of food, water, and medicine.
• In the West Bank, over 950 Palestinians killed in clashes, raids, and settler-related violence.
Core Issues Driving the Conflict
The main disputes involve borders, refugee rights, security, and the status of Jerusalem. Palestinians seek an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Israel cites threats from rocket fire and militant attacks as reasons for tight security measures. Settlement growth and restrictions on Palestinian movement deepen mistrust.
Regional and Global Effects
Iran’s support for Hamas intensifies regional tensions. The fighting has drawn global calls for ceasefires and investigations into alleged war crimes by both sides.
