**Understanding the Roots of the Israel-Hamas Conflict**

As the Israel-Hamas conflict approaches a potential ceasefire, the historical context of its origins sheds light on the prospects for peace. The recent violence erupted on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, a significant event in the history of Israel and its Arab neighbors.

The Yom Kippur War began on October 6, 1973, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel during the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. This conflict marked a pivotal moment in Arab and Muslim perspectives on Israel's existence. Following Israel's establishment in 1948, its Arab neighbors opposed the new state both ideologically and militarily. Although Israel emerged victorious in the 1948 war, the Arab consensus remained that Israel was an imposition by former colonial powers, particularly Britain and the United States.

In the years following World War II, a wave of pan-Arab nationalism emerged, largely influenced by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. This movement fostered a sense of Arab identity and a desire for self-determination, which fueled animosity toward Israel. The Six-Day War in June 1967 resulted in a significant defeat for Arab forces, with Israel capturing east Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. In response to this humiliation, the Arab League convened in Khartoum in September 1967, issuing its famous “Three Nos”: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, and no negotiations with Israel.

After Nasser's death in 1970, his successor, Anwar Sadat, initiated the Yom Kippur War in an attempt to reclaim lost territory. Initially, it appeared that Egypt and Syria might succeed in reversing their previous defeats. However, Israel managed to recover and ultimately won the war. This outcome led Sadat to reassess the pan-Arab strategy of eliminating Israel. He famously traveled to Jerusalem to address the Knesset, signaling a shift in policy toward peace.

In 1979, Sadat signed a peace treaty with Israel at Camp David, resulting in the return of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. This agreement marked a turning point, indicating that some Arab nations were willing to recognize Israel's right to exist. However, the ideology of eliminationism found new expression in Islamist extremism, particularly following the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by members of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, who opposed his peace efforts.

Over the past five decades, relations between Israel and its neighbors have diverged significantly. While some Arab nations have established friendly ties with Israel, threats have escalated from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas. Saudi Arabia, once a supporter of Islamist extremism, shifted its stance by ceasing funding for jihadist activities. This change facilitated the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw several Arab states formally recognize Israel.

The evolution of Arab nationalism has shown a capacity to coexist with Israel, unlike Islamist extremism, which remains committed to its eliminationist agenda. Hamas embodies this extremist ideology, prioritizing the destruction of Israel over the welfare of Palestinians. The attacks on October 7, 2023, coinciding with the Yom Kippur War anniversary, exemplified this ongoing conflict.

As Arab nations have moved away from direct confrontation with Israel, the responsibility for hostility has shifted to groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Israel has responded with military actions against these groups, receiving varying degrees of support from key Arab states. The complex history of the region continues to shape the current landscape of conflict and the search for peace.