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Domestic Tension Over Israeli-Hamas Conflict

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Domestic Tension Over Israeli-Hamas Conflict

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip initiated unexpected assaults on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of Isralis and foreign nationals, including Americans. Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist organization that is recognized by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Since the initial attack, thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing conflict. The Biden Administration declared support for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), calling on Congress to appropriate funds for security assistance. As the dynamics in the Middle East evolve, concerns over best approaches for humanitarian support to civilians still remain, and continued threats from Hamas are increasing chances of escalation. In November of 2023, Congress passed H.R. 340, the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act, which allows for sanctions on foreign entities that offer specific types of support to Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), or their associates.

Date of event: October 7, 2023

Impact:

  • About 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals killed (including 35 Americans) (CRS)
  • About 240 persons (including Americans) taken hostage (CRS)
  • $8 billion in U.S. security assistance requested for Israel (CRS)
  • As of early December 2023, the ensuing conflict had resulted in more than 18,000 Deaths of Palestinians in Gaza (CRS)

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HSDL Featured Topic:  Global Terrorism | Disinformation

HSDL Search: Israel-Hamas Conflict | War in the Middle East | Relations with Israel | Hamas

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