The War is Spreading

October 7th Attacks (0s)

• Israel and Hamas engage in an escalating war as Israeli troops invade the Gaza Strip.
• Multiple countries and groups are involved in the conflict.
• US officials are concerned that the war could spread beyond just Israel and Palestine and become a regional conflict.
• The Gaza Strip is governed by Hamas, an Islamist organization with a mission to resist Israeli occupation.
• Hamas launches a deadly attack on October 7th, killing Israelis and taking hostages.
• Israel responds by declaring war on Hamas and conducting airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
• Israel plans a ground invasion to target Hamas fighters and leaders.
• US President Joe Biden urges Israel not to make the same mistakes as the US after 9/11.

The Bigger Picture (3m52s)

• Iran, which wants to be the most powerful country in the Middle East, is in conflict with Israel and the US.
• Iran supports anti-Israel and anti-Jewish militia groups and governments as part of the axis of resistance against Israel and the US.
• Iran supports Hamas by giving them training, money, and weapons, including the rockets used in the October 7th attack.
• Attacks on Israeli and American targets increase throughout the region by Iranian proxies.
• Hezbollah, Iran's powerful proxy group in Lebanon, poses a greater threat to Israel than Hamas.
• Israel retaliates against Hezbollah along its northern border.
• The US urges Israel not to invade Gaza to avoid a broader conflict in the Middle East.
• Conflict could spread to the West Bank if Palestinians join the fighting.

The Potential Escalation (7m10s)

• Full-scale war is undesirable for all sides involved, but it can happen regardless.
• Hezbollah and Iran do not want a full-scale war with Israel due to the potential consequences.
• Threats of force can stabilize an escalating conflict.
• The US deploys troops and naval strike groups as a show of force to deter Iran and its proxies.
• Israel sends troops into Gaza, but Hezbollah does not invade from the north.
• Hezbollah's hesitation shows the potential costs of war for Lebanon.
• Iran is hesitant to use Hezbollah in this context to protect Palestinians.
• Hezbollah believes that Israel will not succeed in eradicating Hamas.
• Hamas is prepared for a ground invasion, using tactics such as hiding among civilians and using underground tunnels.