The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East is marked by intricate complexities, with territorial disputes at the forefront of regional tensions. Among the most contentious areas are the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. These regions have been at the center of protracted conflicts, posing significant challenges to peace and stability in the region. In this article, we delve into the historical background and contemporary issues surrounding these territories.

The Golan Heights: Situated in southwestern Syria, the Golan Heights has been a focal point of conflict between Israel and Syria for decades. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967, in order to stop the Syrian fire on Israeli towns. Later Israel annexed it in 1981, a move that wasn’t recognized at the time by the international community. The strategic importance of the Golan Heights, with its elevated terrain overlooking northern Israel, has been a primary factor in the ongoing dispute.

The main issue regarding the Golan Heights revolves around sovereignty. While Israel asserts its right to control the territory for security reasons, Syria maintains that the Golan Heights is part of its sovereign territory and seeks its return. Efforts to negotiate a resolution to the conflict have been largely unsuccessful, exacerbating tensions between the two countries.

The West Bank: The West Bank, located between Israel and Jordan, is another hotly contested territory with deep historical and religious significance. Israel gained control of the West Bank from Jordan during the Six-Day War, due to security concerns and escalating tensions with Jordan. Today, the West Bank is home to millions of Palestinians and hundreds of thousands of Israelis, creating a complex demographic and political situation.

Gaza Strip: The Gaza Strip, a densely populated coastal enclave bordered by Israel and Egypt, has been a focal point of conflict and humanitarian crises for years. Following Israel's unilateral withdrawal in 2005, Gaza came under the control of Hamas, an Islamist terrorist group. Since then, the region has been plagued by frequent outbreaks of violence, including rocket attacks by terrorists toward populated areas, and Israeli military responses.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, During the Jewish Holy day of Simchat Tora, Hamas attacked Israel with thousands of rockets and missiles targeting wide areas in Israel, particularly in the south and central regions. Following these attacks, there was an unprecedented infiltration of around 3,000 Hamas terorists into Israeli territory, spanning approximately 60 kilometers. They seized control of IDF bases and positions, engaging in direct confrontations with security forces, alongside infiltrations into civilian towns, occupying them, attacking them, and abducting and murdering their residents.

In the attack, around 1,145 Israelis and foreigners were killed, mostly civilians, and more than 1,941 were injured, with approximately 360 in critical condition. Several dozen citizens from foreign countries were also killed. The attack also included the massacre at the "Nova Festival" nature party near Kibbutz Re'im, which became the largest terror attack in the history of the State of Israel. This started the Israeli Gaza “Iron Swards” war.

Conclusion: The issues surrounding the Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza Strip are deeply rooted in history, politics, and identity, making them incredibly complex and challenging to resolve. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the legitimate concerns and aspirations of all parties involved. Ultimately, achieving peace and stability in the region will necessitate dialogue, compromise, and a commitment to upholding international law and human rights principles.