Between Dignity and Despair: The Choice to Die on One's Feet.

The attack by Hamas on the Israeli mainland on Saturday morning caught many by surprise, evoking memories of the unexpected assault by Egypt and Syria in 1973. The latest death toll stands at 576 Palestinians and at least 800 Israelis killed. Additionally, a large number of civilian and military personnel were taken hostage and shifted to Gaza. While the Hamas fighters also suffered casualties in combat, the death toll of civilians in Gaza is rapidly rising because of Israeli air raids. Regardless of the end result, the conflict has very serious consequences for the region as well as for the people of Gaza.

Gaza, situated in the North East of the Sinai peninsula, spans an area of roughly 360 square kilometers. Sharing an approximately 37km border with Israel, it is bordered by both Egypt and Israel. Movement of goods and people into Gaza is heavily regulated by these two nations. While Israel oversees the primary commercial crossings with rigorous inspections or restrictions on certain goods, Egypt controls the Rafah crossing, mainly facilitating the movement of people. Over the years, while many items have faced restrictions due to security concerns, a variety of goods and humanitarian aid have been permitted entry, subject to specific limitations.

In the face of the profound suffering endured by the Palestinian people, rather than urging the occupying nation to halt its oppressive actions, several countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, have labeled Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Hamas leadership remains in the crosshairs of Israel's Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs), deepening the complexities of the situation.

It is, therefore, surprising to see what Hamas has achieved under the strict watch of Israeli forces and intelligence agencies in a very small territory such as Gaza. It was able to make large-scale preparations and amass and store equipment and ammunition while maintaining secrecy of its plans. The collection of a large number of rockets, rocket launchers, paragliders, and weapons, therefore, not only indicates a failure of Israeli intelligence but also a failure of the intelligence agencies of many of its allies and supporters, including the US.

The Hamas offensive showcased not just meticulous planning but also an unparalleled level of sophistication, scale, and coordination. This operation caught the Israeli forces off guard, challenging the perceived invincibility of Israel's renowned 'Iron Dome' air...