Israel at war with Hamas

This Saturday marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Yom Kippur war - a holy holiday for Jews - that in 1973 pitted Israel against other Arab countries and, in eloquent proof that that heavy fighting did not end the so-called Middle East conflict, the Gaza Strip militias, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades, are attempting to commemorate it with a massive surprise attack on different cities in the Hebrew state. 

The questioning and energetic prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that "Israel is at war", but "we will win", he added, while National Security Minister Ben-Gvir declared a state of emergency.

Incidents between Hamas terrorists - the organisation that governs Gaza outside the legitimate Palestinian government, headed by Mahmoud Abbas from Ramallah, the territory's capital - are frequent, beginning with attacks from the Strip on towns near the border, and always ending with a vindictive response from the Israeli armed forces. The result repeats itself: it ends with casualties adding to a never-ending list and a return to the relative normality that has been maintained amidst periodic new incidents for five decades. This time Hamas has launched a more powerful attack, by land, sea and air, which, as yet unfinished, already has 23 dead, hundreds wounded and Israelis imprisoned in Gaza's own prisons.

Hamas is supported by Iran, Israel's irreconcilable enemy, which will not budge even now that Jerusalem has had diplomatic relations not only with Egypt and Jordan for many years, but also with Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, and is on the verge of establishing diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. 

Significantly, Saudi Arabia was among the first countries, even ahead of some Europeans, to condemn the attack on civilians by Hamas activists. Egypt was quick to call for peace to be restored. Some armed groups attacked towns such as Ashkelon or Nativof and Jerusalem itself, where they have carried out kidnappings. But the bulk of their offensive was rockets and bombs dropped from paragliders.

In all, 2,200 rockets were fired at major cities, starting with Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. One of them hit a public holiday in the south of the Strip, injuring ten people. In some towns close to the border, the government has advised the population to avoid taking to the streets.

The attack began in the early hours of the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day, during which even family activity is kept to a minimum. The surprise of the attack causes surprise among diplomats and the press alike, as it went undetected in its preparations by Israeli intelligence services, considered to be among the best in the world. The leader of Hamas in Gaza, Ismail Haniye, justified the military operation as a defence of national dignity.

In Israel, this new aggression by the brigades comes at a time of heightened political tension. The complex government, which in its second term has made the controversial prime minister the longest-serving prime minister Israel has ever had, is adding to an increasingly complex instability. Netanyahu's popularity is at rock bottom. The precariousness of his Cabinet is evident and the uncertainty is putting the brakes on many activities. That is why opinions are already being voiced that, in the face of this tension, which will undoubtedly be repressed with a very firm hand, the incombustible Netanyahu will take advantage of it to regain the popular support he was losing.