2021 Gaza-Israel Confrontation

The escalation began shortly after the tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the protests in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza launched rocket attacks into Israel, which they claimed were in response to the events in Jerusalem. Israel responded with airstrikes targeting Gaza. This exchange marked a dramatic escalation from protests and localized violence to a broader military conflict. Over several days, hundreds of rockets were fired from Gaza, and Israel conducted numerous airstrikes. This conflict resulted in significant casualties and damage, particularly in Gaza, and raised serious humanitarian concerns. The escalation lasted 11 days before a ceasefire was reached, but it left a lasting impact on the regional and international perception of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.