Tufan al-Aqsa: The Day that Redefined the Israeli-Palestinian Power Balance

by Iyad M. Y. Eid

On 7 October 2023, a major turning point occurred in the history of Israel, a state that, for over 75 years, has prided itself on being a dominant military force in the Middle East. Israel, renowned for its undefeated military, sophisticated weaponry, and highly advanced security intelligence system, has long been celebrated by its authorities as a symbol of strength and resilience. However, the events of that day challenged these long-held perceptions, unveiling a new chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Approximately one thousand Palestinian warriors affiliated with Hamas embarked on a brave and strategically significant military operation named Tufan al-Aqsa. Armed with homemade weapons, these fighters stormed the heavily guarded Israeli military bases and settlements near the Gaza Strip, successfully overpowering more than ten thousand Israeli soldiers, recognized as elite combatants trained for frontline battles. The outcome of this operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israeli soldiers, with others being taken prisoner.

From the beginning of this operation, the Hamas military chief issued a clear and decisive declaration. The operation’s goals were explicitly outlined: to stop Israeli violations in the Al- Aqsa Mosque, secure the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, cease the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and lift the longstanding blockade of the Gaza Strip.

While recent developments may seem unprecedented, they are deeply rooted in the complex and turbulent history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To fully comprehend the significance of this day’s events and to speculate on the potential outcomes, one must explore the origins of this decades-long struggle.

The conflict roots trace back to 1947, a pivotal year preceding the official establishment of the State of Israel. During this period, the international community proposed the division of Palestine into two states. This decision allocated 80% of Palestinian land to Israeli Zionists, who, equipped with military assistance and training from the British Empire, established their state. In contrast, the local Palestinian population, predominantly engaged in agriculture, was promised the remaining 20 percent of their ancestral land to form their sovereign state—a promise that had been elusive until then. This historical fact planted the roots of a conflict for over seven decades, setting the stage for the dramatic events of 7 October 2023.

Over the last 75 years, Israel has engaged in continuous military confrontations against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Meanwhile, Israel solidified its position as a dominant military superpower in the Middle East and established a robust economic base. Presenting itself as a modern democratic state, Israel has extended invitations to Europeans,
especially young individuals, regardless of their educational background, attracting them with the prospects of economic opportunities. In exchange for these benefits, including promises of citizenship and passports, these immigrants were required to serve in the Israeli army, often participating in military operations against the Palestinians, with the intention of seeking to oust them from their land.

Since the first Palestinian uprising in 1987, Israeli soldiers have consistently maintained a presence at checkpoints across Palestinian territories, enforcing a routine of inspection and subjecting Palestinian citizens to degradation. This period has been characterized by frequent confrontations, with young Palestinians often resorting to stone-throwing and facing lethal responses.

The daily involvement in policing operations, in contrast to the initial economic motives of many Israeli immigrants, has led to a gradual erosion of skills necessary for conventional warfare. On the other side, Palestinians, living under the shadow of the Gaza blockade and an unjust apartheid system in the West Bank, face daily humiliations and struggle for basic survival needs. They perceive Israeli soldiers as occupiers and oppressors, responsible for the pain and suffering caused by the ongoing land appropriation. Amidst these adversities, Palestinians have organized their resistance against the occupation. Driven by a deep sense of duty and a belief in their cause, especially under the lens of their faith, they have shown remarkable resilience and determination in their struggle.

Tufan al-Aqsa brought an unexpected humiliation and defeat to the Israeli forces, shocking the world, especially with the widespread sharing of videos on social media. In an effort to preserve their image as a superpower military state in the Middle East, Israeli leaders attributed their defeat to the surprise element. They officially declared the commencement of a nonstop massive military war on Gaza with three main clear objectives, which included coercively transferring Gazans to the Sinai desert in Egypt, annihilating Hamas and other Palestinian resistance movements, and freeing Israeli prisoners.

In response, the USA, France, Germany, the UK, etc.., provided Israel with political, official, and military support, sending nuclear ships, military warships, sophisticated weaponry, and personnel. Israel utilized air strikes and ground invasions, deploying high-tech tanks, military hardware, and various types of outlawed chemical and phosphorous munitions. Despite these efforts, for roughly three months, Israel and its allies were unable to accomplish any of the stated objectives. Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian resistance movements frequently released new videos showing their fighters engaging in combat against Israeli forces, bombing tanks, exploding tunnels packed with bombs, and abducting soldiers from the battlefield.

In the aftermath of the recent Israeli military operation against Palestinians, a critical analysis reveals a contrast in outcomes. Despite Israel’s superior weaponry and military capabilities, their efforts have primarily resulted in the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure, homes, universities, hospitals, schools, mosques, etc., and committing war crimes such as massacres and the killing of more than 20,000 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children. Contrarily, Palestinian fighters, armed with homemade equipment, have managed to smash the well-established stereotype about Israeli soldiers. Their profound faith and determination have been pivotal in pursuing what they deem justifiable national goals.

The remarkable determination of the Palestinians to resist occupation has compelled Israeli leaders to admit their failure to break the spirit of the Palestinians. Such a final outcome forced the Israeli Authority, who had been against any solutions with the Palestinians, to reluctantly accept a ceasefire, release Palestinian prisoners, etc. Despite Israeli politicians viewing the agreement as a failure, Palestinians regard it as the beginning of an outstanding victory, having forced Israelis to recognize the restoration of Palestinian rights in the future, believing that,

This conflict’s line has two potential outcomes, each with its own set of implications. The first possibility is that Israel, facing a real defeat, might pave the way for indirect negotiations, potentially leading to the acknowledgment and fulfillment of the rights of Palestinians as declared by the international community in 1947. Such a development could culminate in the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Alternatively, if Israel is unwilling to engage in negotiation or relinquish its dominant position against the Palestinians, the conflict will persist and could escalate into a major war, potentially including the entire region in the Middle East. As the world observes, two divergent paths are visible on the horizon. Whether this dispute ends in dialogue and peace or intensifies and results in combat, the Palestinians are certain that their losses won’t exceed what they have already lost, and they will persevere in their resistance, believing that their future will be brighter than their current situation. ***

(Dr. Iyad M. Y. Eid is an academic from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia.)