Dr. Alexey Muraviev: 'The Israelis believed that the army, police and special services would protect them'

Israel has declared war on Hamas, warning its citizens to prepare for a 'long and difficult' conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling civilians in Gaza to flee their homes, as his forces carry out retaliatory strikes after unprecedented attacks by Hamas. Dr. Alexey Muraviev, Associate Professor of National Security and Strategic Studies at Curtin University, Perth, comments on the current conflict.

A relative of a missing Israeli (left) and a building in Gaza struck by Israeli forces (right). Credit: AAP

The significant escalation is the latest in a long-standing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Hamas is a Palestinian military and political group, gaining power in the Gaza Strip since winning legislative elections there in 2006. Hamas’s stated aim is to establish a Palestinian state, while refusing to recognise Israel’s right to exist. Hamas, in its entirety, is designated as a terrorist organisation by countries including Australia, Canada, the UK and the US. Some countries list only its military wing as a terrorist group. The UN though did not condemn Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist organisation, due to insufficient support from member states to do so during a 2018 vote.

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