THE hatred between the two sides is long-standing, the repercussions of this appalling attack on Israel terrifyingly unpredictable.
Not just the Middle East, but the world stands on the brink of disorder on a scale not seen since World War II.
The slaughter of hundreds of young people, parents, grandparents and even babies is being described as Israel’s 9/11.
And up to 150 of their citizens have been kidnapped and taken back into Gaza, where the terrorist group Hamas governs.
With links to Iran and Hezbollah, Hamas is promising one hostage death for every retaliatory strike on Gaza.
Where will all this lead?
It’s clear that Israel is gearing up for a ground assault into Gaza.
Their standing army of 187,000 regular troops and 300,000 reservists have been mobilised.
For Israel, the threat is existential.
Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran are dedicated to the Jewish state’s extinction.
For two million Palestinians in Gaza, it’s catastrophic, drawing down biblical ire upon their homes.
The timing of the Hamas attack is strongly suspected to be due to the ‘Abraham Accords’, an understanding between Saudi Arabia and Israel that is close to fruition and which has enraged Islamist hard-liners.
The West, particularly the US, is strongly backing Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, though the UN is calling for restraint.
As Hamas was never going to beat Israel militarily, I suspect their aim was to encourage an over-reaction and hope for a wider war.
Russia and Iran already control Syria, while Tehran-backed Hizbollah in Lebanon threatens Israel’s north.
A war on several fronts is not inconceivable, leading to further destabilization of the Middle East with untold consequences.
Like 9/11, this murderous attack on innocent people is hard to comprehend and even harder to know where it will lead.
I condemn it, unequivocally.