This Week in Explainers: A deep dive into the Israel-Hamas war

The fallout from the Israel-Hamas war continues. This week saw Israel even further intensify its bombing campaign of Gaza in response to the 7 October attack. Jerusalem has been warning that it is preparing a ‘significant military operation’ for days. In the background of a ground attack seeming to be imminent, a dispute broke out over the bombing of a hospital in Gaza with both sides blaming the other. Meanwhile, others fear that the conflict might escalate and engulf West Asia. Lebanon has already fired on Israel ‘in solidarity with the Palestinian people’ and Iran has warned that it cannot remain an observer if Jerusalem ‘does not cease their atrocities’ in Gaza. The entire conflagration has also turned the world’s attention to what many countries see as the only viable solution for peace – a two-state solution. While India has said no to gay marriage – with the Supreme Court putting the ball firmly in Parliament’s court – we take a look at countries that have legalised same-sex unions. There’s also news from outer space – with a comet three times the size of Mount Everest hurtling towards the Earth. Let’s get you caught up on the big developments of the week: 1. As the world’s eyes are affixed on West Asia, some are expressing fears about escalation. One top US official described Iran as the ‘elephant in the room’ and added that the US is working overtime to halt the conflict from going regional. But could Israel, as some experts fear, find itself battling on multiple fronts? This piece examines just such a possibility – as well as points out a silver lining among all the doom and gloom. 2. Even as the war in Israel rages on, US president Joe Biden has brought up an idea from the past to put the Israel-Palestine situation to bed – a ‘two-state solution’. [caption id=“attachment_13276982” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] US president Joe Biden has once again brought up the two-state solution as a possible way to settle the conflict. Reuters[/caption] But what is this two-state solution? Would it work to settle the matter once and for all?  How would it work exactly? And who is expressing support for it? This piece takes an in-depth look at the proposition. 3. Who bombed the hospital in Gaza that left hundreds of Palestinians dead?

That’s the question everyone is asking.

While the Palestinians have pointed the finger at Israel, Jerusalem has indignantly insisted that a rocket by a militant group in Gaza is to blame. This piece examines what we know about the hospital attack and how the world reacted to the horrific event. 4. It’s only a matter of time before Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza. Israel has already called up hundreds of thousands of reservists, has been loading them up with equipment and positioning them carefully. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ‘demolish Hamas.’ So why hasn’t Israel invaded yet ? Is it the weather? Or something else? [caption id=“attachment_13277252” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ‘demolish Hamas’. Reuters[/caption] That’s the question this piece grapples with – as well as lays out why such an invasion would be extremely challenging for Israel. 5. Amid the heartbreaking stories emanating from Israel, there’s at least one tale with a happy ending. This piece examines how a quick-thinking grandmother in Ofakim city who found herself at the mercy of Hamas terrorists managed to keep them occupied with food and drink – talk about soothing the savage beasts – and by talking to them. Even more heartwarming is the action of her husband David who flung himself over his wife to protect her when Israeli Defence forced turned up and took out the bad guys. “He saved 40 years of marriage,” Edri said. 6. In India, many in the gay community were holding their breath to see if the Supreme Court would legalise same-sex marriage. The apex court ultimately declined to do so, holding that such an action is a domain of the legislature – though it did agree to form a high-powered committee to study the issues faced by the gay community in India and provide recommendations. This piece takes a look at the other nations in the world – nearly  three dozen –  where same-sex marriage is legal. 7. If the wars happening around the world aren’t bad enough, now a massive comet thrice the size of Mount Everest – the highest mountain on this planet – is headed towards the Earth. Scientists have noted that the cold volcano comet, which they have entitled 12P/Pons-Brooks, keeps blowing its massive stack. But there’s no need to panic – despite its ominous characteristics, the chances of “deep impact” (yes, like the 1998 movie), are non-existent. [caption id=“attachment_13272602” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] 12P/Pons-Brooks is composed of ice, dust, and gases that function somewhat like carbonation in a fizzy drink bottle. Image Courtesy: @tyseren/X[/caption] The comet will only become visible to the human eye in 2024 – and it won’t return to Earth for another 71 years. So get a gander while you can. Watch this space for more explainers.