Facts Behind Israel-Hamas War The Israel-Hamas war is an ongoing conflict between the two sides that has been going on for decades. The conflict began in the late 1970s when Israel occupied the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Since then, the two sides have been in a state of war, with occasional periods of relative peace. The conflict has been characterized by a series of wars and skirmishes, as well as a number of peace agreements. The most recent war, which began in 2014, has been the most destructive and costly in terms of civilian casualties. The conflict is rooted in the long-standing dispute between Israel and the Palestinians over the status of the Palestinian territories. The Palestinians have long sought an independent state, while Israel has sought to maintain control over the territories. This has led to a series of wars and skirmishes, as well as a number of peace agreements. The most recent war began in 2014, when Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks from Hamas. The conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, as well as extensive damage to infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the region, with both sides accusing