# What are the origins of the War in Gaza: 40 Sourced Claims, Contested Facts & Evidence Competing claims about how the Gaza war started and what came before October 7. Authors: nineDan HTML: https://moyomap.com/maps/origins-war-gaza Markdown: https://moyomap.com/maps/origins-war-gaza.md License: HTML and markdown are for reading and citation. Bulk copying and AI training need a written license. See /terms and /developers#maps-data. Cite a claim as: MoyoMap, "What are the origins of the War in Gaza: 40 Sourced Claims, Contested Facts & Evidence", claim {id}, https://moyomap.com/maps/origins-war-gaza.md#{id}. “Moyo, a product of SenTeGuard Inc.” ### Yahya Sinwar, a Gaza Hamas leader, spent over 20 years in Israeli prisons. Id: claim_bbf65ade759a000b93c74e32 Parent: topic_aVvdj3Gik8vlCTt9Pb2X Depth: 1 Yahya Sinwar, a Gaza Hamas leader, spent over 20 years in Israeli prisons. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ### Gaza Strip History and Administration Id: section_0cbfb0b518d33bc354a20248 Parent: topic_aVvdj3Gik8vlCTt9Pb2X Depth: 1 Gaza Strip History and Administration Labels: Inferred, Low ### October 7, 2023 Attack Details Id: section_11d98121e4893680ef3589ad Parent: topic_aVvdj3Gik8vlCTt9Pb2X Depth: 1 October 7, 2023 Attack Details Labels: Inferred, Low ### Hamas Strategy and Planning for October 7 Id: section_c5a365d6315d036e50980547 Parent: topic_aVvdj3Gik8vlCTt9Pb2X Depth: 1 Hamas Strategy and Planning for October 7 Labels: Inferred, Low #### A Hebrew University study by Dr. Id: claim_346a311e54cd3277e4d55c4c Parent: section_c5a365d6315d036e50980547 Depth: 2 A Hebrew University study by Dr. Daniel Sobelman, based on seized top-secret Hamas documents, found Hamas's strategy shifted from defensive to offensive. Labels: Inferred, Medium, known #### A RUSI assessment found that Hamas fighters "deviated significantly from their own plan" during the October 7… Id: claim_6dd0f8df4c4f2443c31a785d Parent: section_11d98121e4893680ef3589ad Depth: 2 A RUSI assessment found that Hamas fighters "deviated significantly from their own plan" during the October 7 attack. Labels: Inferred, High, known #### The current war in Gaza, also known as the Israel-Hamas war, started on October 7, 2023, with a surprise atta… Id: claim_8ae88fdf58e43d53d1f58f06 Parent: section_11d98121e4893680ef3589ad Depth: 2 The current war in Gaza, also known as the Israel-Hamas war, started on October 7, 2023, with a surprise attack led by Hamas on Israel, which was followed by Israel's military response. Labels: Inferred, Medium #### An IDF investigation, published in July 2024, found that the planning of the Hamas attack began seven or eigh… Id: claim_9d6feac5015ea5f82486070a Parent: section_c5a365d6315d036e50980547 Depth: 2 An IDF investigation, published in July 2024, found that the planning of the Hamas attack began seven or eight years earlier, but Israeli military intelligence missed both early and later signs. Labels: Source-linked, High, known #### Following the creation of Israel in 1948, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from th… Id: claim_e74053e16ee28b9163a01474 Parent: section_0cbfb0b518d33bc354a20248 Depth: 2 Following the creation of Israel in 1948, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes. Labels: Inferred, High #### Thousands of Hamas-led terrorists burst through the Gaza border and carried out a deadly assault in southern… Id: claim_ee5f03cd3be304be2c4a6568 Parent: section_11d98121e4893680ef3589ad Depth: 2 Thousands of Hamas-led terrorists burst through the Gaza border and carried out a deadly assault in southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages. Labels: Source-linked, High ##### Approximately 3,000 militants, primarily from Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, along with Palestinian Islamic Jiha… Id: claim_004d00763c84c581cd3e00b2 Parent: claim_ee5f03cd3be304be2c4a6568 Depth: 3 Approximately 3,000 militants, primarily from Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, along with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and smaller groups, breached the Gaza-Israel barrier at multiple points by land, air (paragliders), and sea during the October 7, 2023 attack. Labels: Source-linked, High ##### Two days before the October 7, 2023, attack, two commando companies were moved from the Gaza border to the We… Id: claim_0560a2ec90141b43f643a631 Parent: claim_9d6feac5015ea5f82486070a Depth: 3 Two days before the October 7, 2023, attack, two commando companies were moved from the Gaza border to the West Bank, leaving the military at Re'im undermanned and out of position. Labels: Inferred, High ##### The current war in Gaza is the latest and deadliest phase in a longer Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with hist… Id: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Parent: claim_8ae88fdf58e43d53d1f58f06 Depth: 3 The current war in Gaza is the latest and deadliest phase in a longer Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with historical roots dating back to the early 20th century, the 1948 war, the 1967 occupation of Gaza, Hamas's takeover in 2006-2007, and the subsequent blockade. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ##### On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" (or Storm) around 6:29 a.m., launching 3,000–5,… Id: claim_0fae0ad5ef1f3be71a13f449 Parent: claim_8ae88fdf58e43d53d1f58f06 Depth: 3 On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" (or Storm) around 6:29 a.m., launching 3,000–5,000 rockets into Israel within 20 minutes. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ##### Many Palestinians who fled or were expelled in 1948 settled in the Gaza Strip. Id: claim_310485e9db4a050a990bb22d Parent: claim_e74053e16ee28b9163a01474 Depth: 3 Many Palestinians who fled or were expelled in 1948 settled in the Gaza Strip. Labels: Inferred, Medium ##### Israeli media reported that the October 7 onslaught was originally planned for the first night of Passover. Id: claim_3c17a8a6bb949ec8ada5f995 Parent: claim_9d6feac5015ea5f82486070a Depth: 3 Israeli media reported that the October 7 onslaught was originally planned for the first night of Passover. Labels: Source-linked, Medium, known ##### Hamas Politburo member Khalil al-Hayya stated in 2021, "We are not a defensive resistance but an offensive on… Id: claim_3c78ec30a3b7a6e9ff0e96fc Parent: claim_346a311e54cd3277e4d55c4c Depth: 3 Hamas Politburo member Khalil al-Hayya stated in 2021, "We are not a defensive resistance but an offensive one." Labels: Inferred, Medium, known ##### The October 7, 2023 attack occurred on Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday, exactly 50 years afte… Id: claim_443000ffdb73465cbf340886 Parent: claim_8ae88fdf58e43d53d1f58f06 Depth: 3 The October 7, 2023 attack occurred on Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday, exactly 50 years after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Labels: Source-linked, High ##### Hamas's Gaza leadership under Yahya Sinwar viewed the May 2021 "Sword of Jerusalem" campaign (Israel's Operat… Id: claim_5ad10d37f72637e017740c47 Parent: claim_9d6feac5015ea5f82486070a Depth: 3 Hamas's Gaza leadership under Yahya Sinwar viewed the May 2021 "Sword of Jerusalem" campaign (Israel's Operation Guardian of the Walls) as a strategic victory and began formulating the "decisive campaign" from that point. Labels: Inferred, Medium ##### The core argument of the Hebrew University study is that Hamas viewed structural strategic conditions in the… Id: claim_693ccc6af7084347b1838565 Parent: claim_346a311e54cd3277e4d55c4c Depth: 3 The core argument of the Hebrew University study is that Hamas viewed structural strategic conditions in the Middle East as a realistic opportunity to militarily defeat Israel and cause its collapse. Labels: Inferred, Medium ##### Original planning documents for the October 7 attack showed Hamas intended to fortify seized positions and us… Id: claim_734b072e07b76fcf260d7fc4 Parent: claim_6dd0f8df4c4f2443c31a785d Depth: 3 Original planning documents for the October 7 attack showed Hamas intended to fortify seized positions and use hostages to complicate an IDF counterattack. Labels: Inferred, High ##### The Hebrew University study found Hamas hoped to trap its allies into war, but Iran and Hezbollah were "deepl… Id: claim_73adb17b4a35efa708cd44a0 Parent: claim_346a311e54cd3277e4d55c4c Depth: 3 The Hebrew University study found Hamas hoped to trap its allies into war, but Iran and Hezbollah were "deeply surprised" by the timing and scale of the October 7 attack. Labels: Inferred, High, known ##### Based on captured Hamas documents, Hamas ran a deliberate deception plan by avoiding direct confrontation, co… Id: claim_7c7be2354ca039d0205d00a0 Parent: claim_9d6feac5015ea5f82486070a Depth: 3 Based on captured Hamas documents, Hamas ran a deliberate deception plan by avoiding direct confrontation, containing tactical incidents, and creating a false impression of focusing on internal affairs and Gaza's economy. Labels: Inferred, High, known ##### During the October 7, 2023 attack, militants targeted military bases, kibbutzim, towns, and the Nova music fe… Id: claim_97ae992458ddcf3d852f21ac Parent: claim_ee5f03cd3be304be2c4a6568 Depth: 3 During the October 7, 2023 attack, militants targeted military bases, kibbutzim, towns, and the Nova music festival. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ##### The chaotic massacre on October 7, carried out in large part by approximately 1,000 Gazans who followed the H… Id: claim_a13711e077489a7459f9c590 Parent: claim_6dd0f8df4c4f2443c31a785d Depth: 3 The chaotic massacre on October 7, carried out in large part by approximately 1,000 Gazans who followed the Hamas strike force, diverted efforts to prepare a deliberate defense. Labels: Inferred, High ##### Israel's cabinet declared war on October 8, 2023, which was the first such declaration since 1973. Id: claim_db737bc6d546bfe818ab50eb Parent: claim_8ae88fdf58e43d53d1f58f06 Depth: 3 Israel's cabinet declared war on October 8, 2023, which was the first such declaration since 1973. Labels: Source-linked, Medium, known ##### Israel launched "Operation Swords of Iron" with airstrikes and subsequently a ground invasion, which began on… Id: claim_e37508ea272eabc232d23aca Parent: claim_8ae88fdf58e43d53d1f58f06 Depth: 3 Israel launched "Operation Swords of Iron" with airstrikes and subsequently a ground invasion, which began on October 27. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ##### The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees. Id: claim_f62b57e1ed8e2124070df43d Parent: claim_e74053e16ee28b9163a01474 Depth: 3 The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) was established in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees. Labels: Source-linked, Medium, known ###### Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt during the 1967 Six-Day War. Id: claim_25f95192fda6fcf28e1a3180 Parent: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Depth: 4 Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt during the 1967 Six-Day War. Labels: Source-linked, Medium, known ###### Yahya Sinwar reportedly said Israel's internal disputes and protests were melting "the glue that keeps togeth… Id: claim_3d99bafb295d2dd9a13526d8 Parent: claim_693ccc6af7084347b1838565 Depth: 4 Yahya Sinwar reportedly said Israel's internal disputes and protests were melting "the glue that keeps together the pillars of the [Israeli] entity," making it "weaker than a spider's web," referencing the 2023 judicial-overhaul crisis and mass reservist protest. Labels: Source-linked, High, known ###### Israel and Egypt imposed a comprehensive land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza in 2007. Id: claim_5cc97c29e4b5b43a6206f1b1 Parent: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Depth: 4 Israel and Egypt imposed a comprehensive land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza in 2007. Labels: Inferred, High, known ###### Hamas discussed scenarios where the October 7 attack, combined with Hezbollah action and unrest in Israel and… Id: claim_93a30b2aec9280872a110c84 Parent: claim_693ccc6af7084347b1838565 Depth: 4 Hamas discussed scenarios where the October 7 attack, combined with Hezbollah action and unrest in Israel and the West Bank, could "quickly collapse" Israel's military and domestic front. Labels: Inferred, High ###### On October 9, 2023, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a "complete siege" of Gaza, which involved cutting… Id: claim_9885ee20e34f27fcb650d2cc Parent: claim_db737bc6d546bfe818ab50eb Depth: 4 On October 9, 2023, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered a "complete siege" of Gaza, which involved cutting off electricity, food, and fuel. Labels: Source-linked, High, known ###### Hamas defeated the rival Fatah party in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections. Id: claim_b17c3fbdadec3227b6a1d410 Parent: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Depth: 4 Hamas defeated the rival Fatah party in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections. Labels: Source-linked, Medium, known ###### Hamas seized full military and administrative control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Id: claim_b40ae8797a4cac499bf45271 Parent: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Depth: 4 Hamas seized full military and administrative control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ###### The Gaza Strip was administered by Egypt from 1948 until 1967. Id: claim_d0c9c94ddc6d327ec6b07071 Parent: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Depth: 4 The Gaza Strip was administered by Egypt from 1948 until 1967. Labels: Inferred, Medium, known ###### The 2005 disengagement plan involved withdrawing all Israeli settlers and ground forces from inside the Gaza… Id: claim_fdc5e6e8d87be40b02b3aede Parent: claim_097be979c5f0c6fb115b0491 Depth: 4 The 2005 disengagement plan involved withdrawing all Israeli settlers and ground forces from inside the Gaza Strip. Labels: Source-linked, Medium ###### Israel stated the 2007 blockade was necessary to prevent weapons smuggling. Id: claim_3009c1bdc9cf2941cf90cfab Parent: claim_5cc97c29e4b5b43a6206f1b1 Depth: 5 Israel stated the 2007 blockade was necessary to prevent weapons smuggling. Labels: Inferred, Medium, known ###### The Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007 followed months of violent clashes between Hamas and Fatah. Id: claim_371ded67efdf7e2d8c160c6f Parent: claim_b40ae8797a4cac499bf45271 Depth: 5 The Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007 followed months of violent clashes between Hamas and Fatah. Labels: Inferred, Medium ###### After the 2005 disengagement, Israel maintained control over Gaza's airspace, territorial waters, and border… Id: claim_53c83dd07285fb7938c07668 Parent: claim_fdc5e6e8d87be40b02b3aede Depth: 5 After the 2005 disengagement, Israel maintained control over Gaza's airspace, territorial waters, and border crossings. Labels: Source-linked, Medium