October 7: A Turning Point in Israel-Hamas Conflict

Video footage from a gunman’s body camera captured the last moments of Bernard Cowan’s life. On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants moved through Kibbutz Sufa, near Gaza. Cowan, a 57-year-old British-Israeli grandfather, left his home’s safe room due to claustrophobia, as reported by his brother. His wife stayed inside. A gunman noticed Cowan through a window and shot him twice, causing him to collapse.

The attackers continued through the kibbutz, targeting homes and even an ambulance’s tires. In another house, a phone’s ringing was recorded. Cowan was among approximately 1,200 people killed in these attacks in Israel. Though tragic, this number might obscure the broader impact on Israel, a country of relatively small size.

As the U.S. recently marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11, comparisons emerge. The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people, while an equivalent attack on the U.S. to October 7’s impact on Israel would have resulted in about 40,000 casualties. This highlights an imbalance that casualty numbers alone do not reveal. Hamas inflicted substantial trauma that made a forceful Israeli response both likely and expected.

Dov Waxman, an expert on Israel and U.S.-Israel relations at UCLA, suggests that Hamas’s strategy mirrored Osama bin Laden’s on 9/11. The aim was likely to provoke a response from a stronger power to shift the political landscape. Despite not destroying Israel, Hamas suffered significant losses. Many senior leaders were killed, and military capabilities severely diminished. Gaza faced a devastating Israeli attack, resulting in a humanitarian crisis with severe consequences.

Globally, this conflict has shifted the political terrain. The Palestinian cause has regained international prominence. Israel’s reputation has declined, especially among young Americans who now view Palestinians more favorably. This generation’s perception will affect U.S. policies once they assume leadership roles.

The destruction of the state of Israel, the liberation of Palestine

Documents now held by Israel revealed Hamas aimed for Israel’s destruction. On October 7, Hamas quickly sought Hezbollah’s support, anticipating a regional escalation. They believed Israel’s military collapse could trigger wider regional conflicts. Despite initial success, these expectations were unmet. Key Hamas figures and many fighters were killed, with the organization suffering severe setbacks.

Gaza paid a high price, with around 75,000 Palestinians dead and billions in infrastructural damage. Some buildings, weakened by Israeli assaults, continue to collapse, highlighting ongoing devastation.

Hamas officials, according to activists like Gershon Baskin, seemed unprepared for the aftermath. Their goal was strategic, seeking significant hostage-taking to force Israel’s actions. The approach also aimed to revive regional resistance, drawing parallels to earlier successful negotiations for prisoner releases.

Others, like Shibley Telhami of the University of Maryland, argue that Hamas aimed to alter the political environment. The continued occupation, stalled peace processes, and Arab states’ relations with Israel without addressing Palestinian conflicts fueled this drive.

Subsequent evaluations reveal mixed outcomes. While Hamas suffered military losses, it did manage to reshape perceptions. By 2026, favorability ratings for Israel in the U.S. significantly dropped. This shift wasn’t a direct endorsement of Hamas, but represented changing perspectives on Israel’s global role, especially among younger generations.

David Makovsky from the Washington Institute warns against considering current U.S.-Israel relations as static. Future Israeli governments could repair diplomatic relationships by adjusting policies and addressing rising extremism. However, Dov Waxman notes the long-term impact on younger Americans whose views have been shaped by recent conflicts.

U.S. political dynamics show growing divides. Progressive Democrats question America’s military support of Israel, citing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Simultaneously, some young Republicans challenge the strategic focus on Israel, emphasizing America’s own priorities. This evolving dialogue highlights changing assumptions about Israel’s role in U.S. foreign policy.

The generational shift points toward a more complex relationship between the U.S. and Israel. Young adults today, influenced by current events, will eventually steer political strategies. October 7 may be re-evaluated not only for its immediate impacts but for the enduring political transformations it set in motion.