The Background and Key Issues of the Israel-Hamas War

This study examines the background of the Israel-Hamas war, which erupted following Hamas’s unprecedented large-scale attack on Israel in October 2023, and the key issues related to the post-war political order in the Middle East. The background of the war highlights, from a historical perspective, the escalation of military tensions and conflicts between the two sides after the failure of the Oslo peace process and Hamas’s control of the Gaza Strip since 2007. It also seeks to address the impact of leadership changes, including the shift to hardliners within Hamas in 2017 and the formation of the most hardline right-wing government in Israel’s history in 2022, against the backdrop of these accumulated conflicts. The study analyzes various debates currently being discussed in the international community, focusing on scenarios for ending the conflict and the future of the Gaza Strip, the potential for the United States to maintain its hegemony in the Middle East, and the future direction of Hamas. Through this analysis, the study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Israel-Hamas war, which has emerged as a central issue in contemporary international politics.