It is a date that will go down in history. On 7 October 2023, the PalestinianPalestine is an area of the eastern Mediterranean region, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of modern Israel. It has been fought over by Arab and Jewish national movements for many years. militant group HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. launched a brutal terrorist attack on Israeli citizens in which 1,200 people were killed and over 240 were taken hostage.

The next day, Israel declared war. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant promised to wipe HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. "off the face of the Earth".¹ The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) began airstrikes on Palestinian territory in the Gaza StripThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt. .

A year on, the Middle EastThe lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia. is in flames. As of 23 September, over 43,000 people have been killed in the conflict, the vast majority of these Palestinian.² Up to 134 journalists and over 224 humanitarian employees are among the fatalities.³ Over 60% of Gaza residents have lost family members⁴ and about 90% have been displaced since the war began.⁵

The IDF has targeted LebanonA small country on the eastern Mediterranean coast that has been in the grip of an economic crisis for over a year. It has a native population of just 4.7 million, but migrants and refugees have brought its total population up to almost 7 million., to Israel's north. Lebanon is home to HezbollahA militant organisation based in Lebanon, classified in the UK as a terrorist group. It has made direct attacks on Israel and is believed to have been responsible for assassinating Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri., an IslamistAn advocate of Islamic fundamentalism. Often used in the West to describe those who believe in imposing Sharia (Islamic law) on societies. political party and military group that rejects Israel's right to exist.⁶ In July, Hezbollah fired a rocket that hit a football pitch and killed 12 schoolchildren and injured 42 others.

On 17 and 18 September, Israel exploded thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members. It stepped up strikes, killing 558 people, 50 of them children.⁷ On 27 September it took out Hassan Nasrallah, the group's secretary-general.

Iran, a major regional power, has now become involved. It supports Hamas and Hezbollah. Although it has yet to officially declare war, it launched almost 200 missiles at Israel last week.⁸

The roots of this conflict go back over a century. Israel was founded as a nation for Jewish people. But it was built on land then occupied by Palestinians. Israel conquered much of the region. Palestinian refugees and their descendants largely live in two occupied areas, Gaza and the West Bank, with limited freedom.⁹

For Hamas, Israel is an occupying power which has stolen Palestinian land and imprisoned its people. They accuse the Israeli state of human rights and International law abuses.

Speaking at the UN last year, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that "Israel yearns for peace."¹⁰ Yet many have questioned this claim, saying he has repeatedly chosen to escalate the war.

Former journalist Bronwen Maddox, director of the Chatham House think tankA research organisation focusing on a certain topic, such as climate policy or education. They often produce information used by businesses, governments and big organisations. , writes: "Netanyahu and his government have shown no interest in a wider strategy in which Israel... thrives through better relations with its neighbours."¹¹

Some think the conflict might grow. Telegraph writer Allister Heath says that we are on the brink of World War Three.¹² The United States has sent Israel advanced weaponry. If other military powers such as China and Russia get more involved in support of Iran, a war between great powers might be on the table.

Yet others think this fear is overblown. Major powers do not want to be drawn into conflict. Expert and academic Matt Clary says: "they likely have a preference to prevent this conflict from escalating". Russia is tied up in Ukraine and China wants a steady stream of oil from the region.¹³

Will it lead to WW3?

Yes: It is World War One all over again. What seems like a regional issue can quickly blow up, as powers honour their promises to protect their allies. We could be at the beginning of a chain reaction.

No: As brutal and unrelenting as the war in the Middle East is, it remains a regional conflict. Few countries away from the region want to sacrifice their safety and stability for others.

Or... In some sense we are already there. The United States is sending weapons to Israel and Ukraine. By doing so, it is in a sense in conflict with Russia, Hezbollah and Iran, if not directly.

Palestinian - Palestine is an area of the eastern Mediterranean region, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of modern Israel. It has been fought over by Arab and Jewish national movements for many years.

Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.

Gaza strip - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt.

Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.

Lebanon - A small country on the eastern Mediterranean coast that has been in the grip of an economic crisis for over a year. It has a native population of just 4.7 million, but migrants and refugees have brought its total population up to almost 7 million.

Hezbollah - A militant organisation based in Lebanon, classified in the UK as a terrorist group. It has made direct attacks on Israel and is believed to have been responsible for assassinating Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

Islamist - An advocate of Islamic fundamentalism. Often used in the West to describe those who believe in imposing Sharia (Islamic law) on societies.

Think tank - A research organisation focusing on a certain topic, such as climate policy or education. They often produce information used by businesses, governments and big organisations.