#SecurityScan 62: Israel Hamas Conflict Explained & much more

This article is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India's national security

Israel-Hamas conflict:

The Hamas Attack

Israeli military eliminates senior Hamas commander responsible for Kibbutz Nirim massacre

More than a million people in the northern Gaza Strip have been ordered to evacuate to the south as the latest Israel-Hamas war and Israel appeared to be preparing a ground offensive. Hamas urged residents to stay put. The orders sent panic through civilians and aid workers already struggling under Israeli airstrikes and a blockade of the Hamas-ruled area. International aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after Israel prevented the entry of supplies from Egypt to Gaza’s 2.3 million people. The latest Israel-Hamas war has claimed more than 3,000 lives on both sides in the week since Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack on Oct. 7.

Decoding Hamas' ambitious assault on Israel

Hamas's recent attack on Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages, marks its deadliest move yet. Israel's retaliation poses a significant threat to Hamas's rule over the Gaza Strip. It remains unclear what Hamas's endgame is, but its embrace of open-ended violence marks a drastic shift. Hamas officials claim they are prepared for any scenario.

The U.S. has started deploying warships, aircraft, and special operations forces to the Middle East to assist Israel in responding to the conflict with Hamas. The primary mission is to establish a force presence that deters Hezbollah, Iran, or other regional actors from taking advantage of the situation. The U.S. is providing personnel and munitions to Israel, including expedited orders for the Iron Dome air defense system. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has been redirected to sail towards Israel, while the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group has also been deployed in the region.

Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said no humanitarian aid will be provided to Gaza. No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home," he stated.

NATO countries on Thursday told Israel's defence minister they stood by his country after the attack by Hamas, but urged his forces to respond with "proportionality", the alliance said.

Hamas' Mohammed Deif, Israel attack mastermind, reveals why he launched 9/11 like assault

Mohammed Deif, the mastermind behind the recent Hamas attack on Israel, has provided insights into the motives behind the assault. The attack was in retaliation for Israeli raids on Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque. The decision to plan the operation was fueled by anger over Israeli forces storming the mosque during Ramadan. Deif, who has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, remains in hiding but is believed to be in Gaza's tunnels.

The business of Hamas: How an outfit takes on the might of a military state

Iran provides up to $100 million annually to Hamas, while Turkey and Qatar also harbor top Hamas leaders. Hamas also collects revenue through taxes on goods entering Gaza and uses this money to fund its activities. In addition, Hamas has developed its own arsenal of rockets and mortar projectiles, with assistance from Iran, allowing them to launch attacks on Israel.

How Hamas staged a devastating attack, eluding Israel's spy agencies

Hamas launched a well-executed and coordinated attack against Israel, leaving experts questioning the intelligence lapse. The attack involved the firing of thousands of rockets, breaching of the Gaza Strip fence, and infiltration of Israeli territory using various means such as hang gliders and motorized parachute gliders. Hamas fighters even attempted to reach Israel by motorized dinghies via the open ocean. The attack took Israel by surprise, occurring on a religious holiday.

Israel bombs house of Hamas military chief's father as air assault on terror group continues

As part of the ongoing counter-offensive against Hamas, the security forces bombed the house of the father of Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas's military wing believed to be the key plotter of the terror attacks.

How a secretive Hamas commander masterminded the attack on Israel

Last week's attack by Hamas on Israel is being called Israel's 9/11 moment, while the militant behind the assault, Mohammed Deif, refers to it as the Al Aqsa Flood. The attack was a coordinated effort between Deif and Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar, with only a select few Hamas leaders having knowledge of the operation.

Conflict will continue if Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital is not set up:

Speaking to ANI, Haija said, "I said in 2021, if there is no peaceful solution and establishment of Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, this conflict will continue forever. We are not going to live as slaves in our homeland. Hamas and the people in Gaza have been under siege for 15 years now. 2.2 million are living in an open prison".

Israel Response

Israel-Hamas conflict: Death toll nears 1,300 as Israeli airstrikes pound Gaza Strip

According to Israel Health Ministry, 2506 people injured have been taken to hospitals, including 23 who are in critical condition and 353 who are seriously wounded. Since Israel began carrying out airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas militant group's surprise attack on October 7, the death toll in the besieged enclave increased to 493 on Monday, with 2,751 people injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

A significant challenge has emerged in the Gaza region as all of its crossings have been closed. This closure has made it exceedingly difficult to import essential fuel supplies required for the operation of the power plant and generators that are vital to the well-being of local residents and hospitals.

The Other Fronts

Hezbollah member killed in Israeli shelling in Lebanon as conflict expands

Two sources, both close to the Iran-backed Hezbollah, said his death in shelling on a Hezbollah observation post would draw a response from the group. Hezbollah and Israel fought a brutal month-long war in 2006 and have traded sporadic fire over the border since then while avoiding a major conflict. They exchanged artillery and rocket fire on Sunday.

Around '1,500 bodies' of Hamas militants found in Israel: army

"Approximately 1,500 bodies of Hamas militants were found in Israel around the Gaza Strip," military spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters, adding that security forces had "more or less restored control over the border" with Gaza.

Netanyahu says Gaza offensive has 'only started,' attacks will reverberate for years

Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sealed off the Palestinian territory from food, fuel, and other supplies in retaliation for a deadly incursion by Hamas militants, as the toll rose to nearly 1,600 dead on both sides.

Israel didn't start this war but will finish it: Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that Israel did not initiate the war but will finish it. Israel has mobilized 300,000 troops in response to the Hamas attack. Netanyahu condemned the brutal attacks by Hamas, comparing them to those perpetrated by ISIS, and called for unity among the forces of civilization to defeat Hamas. He expressed gratitude to US President Joe Biden and other world leaders for their support. Netanyahu asserted that Israel is not only fighting for its own people but for every country that opposes barbarism.

Israel mobilizes 360,000 reservists in response to Gaza attack

Reserve forces are a crucial part of Israel's defense strategy, with compulsory military service for most citizens. Reservists can be summoned during times of conflict or national emergencies, with training exercises to maintain their skills. Reservists may serve for several weeks or remain on standby for extended periods.

Israel's reservists drop everything and rush home following Hamas bloodshed

Many reservists were already in Israel, but others were out of the country for various reasons and dropped everything to return. Israeli consulates provided free trips home, and Israeli airlines added flights on foreign routes to bring people back.

Israel intensifies attack on Hamas, 1290 targets struck in Gaza

Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 900 Israelis and injuring over 2,600 people. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported that Hamas is holding around 30 hostages in Gaza. In retaliation, Israel has struck 1,290 Hamas targets in Gaza after 4,500 rockets were fired from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined Israel's battle plan against Hamas and warned of more difficult days ahead .

Israel Defense Forces carries out drone strike against Hezbollah post in southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a drone strike on a Hezbollah post in southern Lebanon in response to an anti-tank missile attack on an army post. The IDF also launched artillery strikes against the source of the missile fire. In a separate incident, a senior IDF officer and two soldiers were killed during a firefight with terrorists who infiltrated into Israeli territory from southern Lebanon. The IDF also targeted the Islamic University of Gaza, which is an important center of power for Hamas.

Hezbollah says it fired missiles from Lebanon into Israel

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, fired missiles at Israel in response to Israeli attacks that resulted in the death of three Hezbollah members. Israel retaliated with strikes in Lebanese territory.

Initial shipment of advanced US weapons lands in Israel as President Biden vows support

The first shipment of advanced US weapons and equipment has arrived in Israel to support its fight against Hamas. The delivery was made through a joint operation involving the Israel Ministry of Defence, the US Procurement Mission, and the International Transportation Unit. The US has already begun delivering munitions and military equipment to Israel, with further supplies being reviewed.

Amidst ongoing conflict, is Israel using white phosphorus incendiary weapons in Gaza?

Disturbing reports have emerged alleging that Israeli military forces are using white phosphorus incendiary weapons in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Israel has intensified its airstrikes on the region in response to attacks by Hamas militants. This is not the first time Israel has faced accusations of using white phosphorus, with similar allegations being made during the 2008-2009 military operation in Gaza.

"We are moving to full offence, Gaza will never go back to what it was": Israeli Defence Minister

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has announced that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are moving to a "full offence" against Hamas targets in response to recent terror attacks. He stated that Gaza will "never go back to what it was" and that Hamas will regret their actions. The IDF spokesperson has confirmed that killing senior Hamas members is a top priority.

Palestinians scramble for safety as Israel pounds sealed-off Gaza Strip to punish Hamas

Humanitarian groups pleaded for the creation of corridors to get aid into Gaza and warned that hospitals overwhelmed with wounded people were running out of supplies. Israel has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza, and the sole remaining access from Egypt shut down Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing.

Israeli warplanes have launched multiple airstrikes on Gaza, potentially leading to a ground operation to remove Hamas. Israeli forces have repelled Palestinian gunmen infiltrating from Gaza. Hamas militants threaten to execute captives for every Gaza home hit. Israeli Defense Minister warns of consequences for Hamas and states the offensive will intensify.

Chilling horrors unfold as IDF describes Hamas atrocities:

The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to escalate, with reports emerging of horrific acts committed by Hamas. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesperson described scenes akin to a horror movie, including the beheading of infants and the execution of women and children. The IDF continues to target high-ranking Hamas officials and infrastructure affiliated with the group.

Syria state TV says Israeli attack targets Aleppo, Damascus airports

Sources have said strikes on the airports are intended to disrupt Iranian supply lines to Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since it began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that started in 2011.

Israeli artillery fires on Gaza every 30 seconds

Israel has vowed to "crush" Hamas after gunmen from the Palestinian Islamist group stormed across the border and killed 1,200 people -- the deadliest attack on the country since it was founded 75 years ago.Its army has kept pounding the densely populated Gaza Strip with artillery shells and air strikes, as it prepares for a possible ground invasion. Read more

Gaza war: The arsenal and military prowess of key players

An Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip could worsen the conflict and potentially draw in Hezbollah from the north. Israel has a well-equipped military, supported by the United States, with advanced fighter jets, missile defense systems, and other technology. On the other hand, Hamas, the rulers of Gaza, lack the same level of funding and weaponry but can employ guerrilla warfare tactics.

Israel Air Force jets attack Hamas operatives, destroy military posts

The Israeli Air Force has continued its offensive against Hamas, targeting the terrorist group's operatives and destroying its military posts. The fighter jets attacked houses used by Hamas operatives, including the residence of a naval commando operative. They also targeted a monitoring center used by Hamas to track Israeli forces. The Israeli Defence Forces' Flotilla 13 unit rescued around 250 hostages and neutralized over 60 terrorists. The UN has expressed concern over a potential ground invasion and has called for any order to relocate the Palestinian population to be rescinded. Israel has imposed a complete siege on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies.

Israel, Gaza and the Laws of War

International law provides a framework for analyzing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza. The laws of war emphasize two principles: the separation of the "why" and "how" of war, and the protection of civilians. Regardless of the justness of the conflict, all parties are expected to follow humanitarian laws. The law prohibits targeting civilians or disproportionately harming them. Both Hamas and Israel have been accused of violating international humanitarian law. The proportionality of harm to civilians is a key consideration in evaluating the conflict.

Iran urges US to 'control' Israel to avert regional war

The United States must rein in Israel to avert a regional spillover of the war with Hamas, Iran's top diplomat said Friday in Beirut, adding Tehran was seeking to safeguard Lebanon's security.

Hamas attack on Israel - Lessons For India

Correct analysis enemy strength a constant challenge . Israel failed to assess Hamas, it's capability and intentions, overestimated own capability.

Enemy will always use innovative methods

- Innovative tactics by Hamas i.e. use of hand gliders, dozers, three wheelers etc. Innovative use of drones

- Long time for preparation and training on the exact replica of target paid rich dividends.

- Technology not Supreme, man behind Technology equally important.

- Wrong decisions taken by liberals in the past like vacating Gaza proved disastrous.

- Keeping pace with changing Technology is very important.

- Political turmoil on local agendas changed 4 govt in 2 years.

- Complacency of Israel govt, people, armed forces & Intelligence agencies proved costly.

- Priorities of nation changed from security & survival to LGBTQ movement, divisive society and local politics.

- Dependence more on technology, policy of boots on ground was put on to the back burner.

En will surprise you

- Dynamics and dimensions of warfare are rapidly changing with the tech changes. Everything is possible, plausible in War. If anything needs to be learned from this Israeli failure, it is that India needs to be doubly alert.

- We are surrounded by Pakistan and China. No soft peddling when dealing with known terrorists and their organizations. All known terrorist camps, terrorists should be destroyed.

- If you haven't had a war for many years, don't assume the enemy has disappeared into thin air, he is lurking around, looking for your soft belly to hit.

- Total dependence on technology is not security, alert foot soldiers on ground are important.

- If you had no war, stop thinking soldiers are a drain on your exchequer, they may not be financially productive but they are assets protectors.

- No amount of new weapons will help, it is always the man behind the gun who wins war.

- Lasting peace is possible only by being militarily superior, ever alert and combat ready.

- Negotiating & expecting peace with those who have terror in mind can prove to be very costly.

- Destroy terror using all means & if necessary with force. That's the only permanent solution.

- Internal conflict, political instability, doubts about your own policies and confusion among leaders & upper hierarchy invites disaster.

- Keep your hand firmly gripped on a superior weapon and do not hesitate to pre-empt the enemy move.

- No First Attack" / "No First Use" doctrine emboldens the enemy.

- LASTLY REMEMBER, ITS NOT THE MACHINE BUT THE MAN BEHIND THE MACHINE WHO WILL SAVE THE DAY AND WIN THE WARS FOR INDIA .

Indian External Security

India, France looking at taking strategic partnership to 'newer heights': Rajnath Singh

India and France have discussed potential collaboration in niche areas such as cyberspace and artificial intelligence during the fifth annual India-France Defence Dialogue. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the strategic partnership between the two nations is more relevant than ever and both sides are looking forward to taking it to new heights.

Frontier protection: Fencing along Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar borders in final lap

On the 3,323 km Pakistan border, which runs along Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, the report said, "Government has sanctioned 2,078.80 km of floodlights, out of which 2,043.76 km has been completed and remaining 35.04 km work is in progress.

1971 Indo-Pak war hero Inder Singh, known for sinking PNS Ghazi submarine, passes away

He was cremated with full state honors. Commander Singh's brave act in sinking the enemy submarine before it could reach Chittagong was outstanding.

India closely monitoring volatile situation in Lebanon with 900 Indian peacekeepers stationed there

India is closely monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon, where Indian soldiers are stationed as part of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNIFIL has reported rocket and artillery fire amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. Israel retaliated with artillery fire aimed at Lebanon. UNIFIL has urged both sides to exercise restraint. India currently has 5,934 soldiers engaged in various UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist Shahid Latif, involved in Pathankot attack, killed in Pakistan

Shahid Latif and 24 other terrorists were released by India in 2010 as part of the UPA government's efforts to mend relations with Pakistan. Latif's release had previously been sought by the same Jaish terrorists who had hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814.