As every reader will know, on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel from Gaza, slaughtering hundreds of civilians, and taking some 200 hostages before retreating to Gaza.
Israel has responded -- is responding, as of this writing -- with a bombardment and apparently increasing assault on Hamas strongholds in Gaza. These strongholds are scattered within a very densely packed Gaza Strip, many in tunnels beneath Gaza City. Gaza City proper contains about 650,000 people in 18 mi.2 (47 km2). This insures that collateral damage to civilian life and property will be substantial.
"Those that forget the past are condemned to hear that quote from George Santayana again." The purpose of this post, and more specifically the slide deck that you can obtain here, is to provide some background on the history that underlies this terrible conflict.
The intended audiences for this material are students and others who desire to learn more about the history, politics and economics of the region, especially in light of recent events, including Hamas’ recent attack on Israel, and its aftermath. However, it is not primarily about those events, which are unfolding rapidly. See “Resources” at the end of the deck for suggestions on some sources to stay abreast.
This material, while preliminary and incomplete, should nevertheless provide context and history that will aid students in understanding current events and thinking critically about the underlying issues of the region. Other faculty should feel free to use any of these slides you find useful in your own teaching.
I have studied the region off-and-on since 1972, but as an interested lay person. I do not claim specialist expertise, and my understanding is continually evolving. I plan to update this material from time to time, as I learn more. Nevertheless, I have tried to present material that is balanced and accurate, if woefully incomplete. I welcome comments and corrections, especially from those with deeper expertise.
You can download the current draft of the PowerPoint deck (November 8, 2023) here.
Again, this is a work in progress. Comments and corrections are welcome. Expect updates in due course.
