The Politics of Israel's 2014

The Politics of Israel's 2014 Gaza War

The 2014 Gaza War, also known as Operation Protective Edge, was a 50-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The war resulted in significant human suffering, with over 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis killed, and thousands more injured or displaced.

The conflict began on July 8, 2014, when Israel launched Operation Protective Edge in response to rocket fire from Gaza. The operation aimed to significantly degrade Hamas's military capabilities and ultimately remove its ability to launch rockets into Israel.

However, as the conflict escalated, international attention turned to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The United Nations reported that 18,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, leaving 108,000 Palestinians homeless.

"We're not going to get into a situation where we're trying to get a ceasefire at any cost... We want a ceasefire that will bring quiet, and not just a ceasefire that will bring quiet for a few hours and then the firing will start again." — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Source: BBC News, July 21, 2014

The Israeli government cited Hamas's rocket attacks as the primary reason for the operation, while critics argued that the Israeli military response was disproportionate and led to significant civilian casualties.

Resolution 2334, passed by the United Nations Security Council on December 23, 2016, condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, sparking a heated debate over the validity of the resolution and its implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As the conflict subsided, both Israelis and Palestinians sought to rebuild and recover from the devastating consequences of the war.

Humanitarian Crisis

The war led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with thousands of Palestinians left homeless and in need of aid.

Over 18,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged
108,000 Palestinians were left homeless
Thousands of people were injured or killed

International Response

International attention turned to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, with the United Nations and other organizations providing aid and assistance.

The United Nations reported significant damage to Gaza's infrastructure and economy
International aid organizations provided food, shelter, and medical care to those affected
The international community called for a ceasefire and an end to the violence

Author's Summary

The 2014 Gaza War was a devastating conflict that resulted in significant human suffering and a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The war highlighted the complexities and challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the need for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

PRIF Blog — 2025-11-28