Cast your vote

The war started because of an attack on October 7, 2023. Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel from Gaza killing 1,200 people, who were mostly civilians, and taking around 250 men, women, and children hostage. Among those taken hostage were 8 people believed to have dual American Israeli citizenship. In retaliation to these actions, Israel has hammered the Gaza strip with "indiscriminate bombing", to quote President Joe Biden, which has destroyed hospitals, homes, and schools. At the time this question was posed, over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed and according to the Gaza Health Ministry, two thirds were women and children. Over 69,000 Palestinians have been injured as well and the death toll continues to rise while countless others are starving and lack basic necessities such as clean drinking water. Some have characterized the war as a genocide perpetrated by Israel. On December 3, 2023, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a cease-fire in Gaza, with only 10 of 190 countries, including the United States, voting against the measure. Who Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya) combatants are isn't quite clear though they claim losses totaling around 6,000 individuals since the war began. However, the entirety of the 140.9 square mile Gaza strip, home to roughly 2.9 million people, is under siege. Israel is an ally of the United States. The U.S. government has proposed a 14-billion-dollar aid package for Israel.