The October 7, 2023, uprising resulted from a buildup of several factors and successive events that led to an outburst of Palestinian public anger. Below are some of the main reasons that triggered the uprising:
1. **Ongoing Tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque**
- **Invasions of Al-Aqsa Mosque**: In the period leading up to the uprising, there was a notable increase in invasions of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers, protected by Israeli police. This provoked anger among Palestinians, who consider the mosque a sacred site.
- **Israeli Measures in Jerusalem**: These measures included restrictions on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, such as preventing them from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque during invasion periods.
2. **Increasing Violence in the West Bank**
- **Israeli Military Operations**: Israeli forces carried out a series of military operations in West Bank cities and villages, targeting Palestinian activists and groups, resulting in a high number of casualties.
- **Arrests**: The West Bank experienced a wide-scale arrest campaign targeting Palestinian youth and activists, intensifying feelings of anger and frustration among the population.
3. **Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza**
- **Ongoing Blockade**: The Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip continued, leading to worsening humanitarian and economic conditions, with increased unemployment and poverty among the Gaza population.
- **Military Escalation**: Renewed rounds of escalation between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza saw Israeli airstrikes in response to rocket fire from the strip.
4. **Violence Against Palestinians in Israel**
- **Attacks on Palestinians within Israel**: Israeli cities with large Palestinian populations witnessed increased attacks by settlers and Israeli forces, heightening internal tensions.
5. **Israeli Government’s Hardline Policies**
- **Government Policies**: The Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopted hardline policies towards Palestinians, including settlement expansion and increased security measures, which intensified feelings of injustice and oppression among Palestinians.
6. **Economic and Political Crisis**
- **Economic Strain**: Palestinian economic pressures increased due to Israeli measures and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- **Political Stalemate**: The political deadlock and ongoing division between major Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, contributed to a sense of frustration among Palestinians due to the lack of unified and effective leadership advocating for their rights.
Conclusion
The October 7, 2023, uprising was the result of a long history of oppression, injustice, and public anger towards Israel’s hardline policies and provocative actions in Jerusalem and at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Escalating tensions, increasing violence, and the absence of a political solution to the conflict all contributed to the outbreak of this uprising.