Since the attack launched by Hamas militants on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023, violence in the Middle East has been escalating.
A year later, the region is on the brink of full-blown conflict, with all eyes now on the Iran-Israel conflict. The second has launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon while deftly decapitating Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia.
In response the Islamic Republic fired missiles at Israel last week, Israel is expected to retaliate and the whole world is waiting.
“Vima” follows the developments since the beginning of the war. These are the major dates and events of the last year leading up to today.
October 7, 2023
Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, chose the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah to launch its deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
First, it fires a barrage of rockets at Israeli cities. Fighters then break through the border fence and use paragliders and speedboats to attack Israel by land, air and sea. Gunmen storm kibbutz and Supernova music festival. According to Israeli officials, 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 people – including the bodies of some of those killed – were abducted and taken to Gaza.
The next day Israel declares war, while on October 9 it declares a “total siege” of Gaza. The enclave, which until then was home to more than 2 million Palestinians, had already been under partial blockade for 16 years, but Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallad declared that “electricity, food, fuel” would no longer enter.
🚨🇵🇸🇱🇧🇮🇱 Israel is BOMBING civilian areas in Gaza at the SAME TIME they are BOMBING civilian areas in Beirut! pic.twitter.com/V7AxroBByg
— The Saviour (@stairwayto3dom) October 5, 2024
October 27, 2023
The Israeli army, after days of heavy shelling, is proceeding with ground operations in the Gaza Strip, despite warnings from the US administration of Joe Biden that a large-scale attack could cause heavy civilian casualties.
November 24, 2023
The first truce between Israel and Hamas is declared. The temporary ceasefire allows more than 100 Hamas hostages (Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners, mostly women and children) to be released in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
In addition, it allows humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, where more than 10,000 people have already been killed.
After seven days, one side accuses the other of violating the agreement and fighting resumes.
April 1, 2024
An Israeli airstrike hit the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing two top Iranian Revolutionary Guards, among others.
Gaza today pic.twitter.com/w1BhIk0jkD
– Riyajul Mustafa Riyad Al-Mustafa (@MdmustafaMusta6) October 6, 2024
April 13, 2024
Tehran is responding to the attack on its Syrian consulate by launching more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel – the first time the Islamic Republic has launched a direct attack on Israeli soil. Most of the missiles are shot down with the help of the US and other allies in the region, having been given advance warning of the impending attack.
May 7, 2024
Israel launches its ground attack on Rafah, amid international outcry and objections from the US.
31 July 2024
Ismail Haniya, the leader of Hamas, is killed in an explosion in Tehran where he was attending the inauguration of Iranian President Massoud Pezheskian. The assassination is widely attributed to Israel, which has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
One day before, Fouad Soukr, a military commander of Hezbollah, had been killed in an Israeli missile attack in Beirut.
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran – group says https://t.co/oF4hspvJmh
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 31, 2024
17 – 18 September 2024
Over the course of two days, thousands of pagers and walkie talkies belonging to members of Hezbollah have exploded in Lebanon and Syria, killing at least 37 people – including many children – and injuring thousands more.
Israel announced the next day the “new phase of the war” where the aim is to allow some 60,000 Israelis who have evacuated the north of the country because of the ongoing clashes with Hezbollah to return to their homes near the border with Lebanon.
September 27, 2024
Israel is launching an unprecedented raid on Beirut’s southern suburbs, destroying at least six apartment buildings and causing panic across the capital. Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah for more than three decades, is killed in the strikes. His death is confirmed the next day.
October 1, 2024
Israel announces the start of a ground operation in Lebanon, giving evacuation orders to the residents of the southern regions.
That same night, Iran launches a ballistic missile attack on Israel with 180 missiles, targeting military and industrial facilities, in “retaliation for the assassinations of Nasrallah and Haniya.
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