I'm doing a report on the Israel-Palestine conflict, I had brainstormed and was ready to start writing, but I'm a little confused. What is really the conflict? Are they fighting over Gaza because they both want it? This was my initial thought but I came upon this information: "Hamas’ goal is clearly stated: removal of the Zionist presence in Israel... Their campaign objective for several years has been to force Israel to end the blockade in exchange for a cessation of missile fire from Gaza... Israel has only claimed that they want to destroy tunnels and stop mortar fire." Thanks in advance !

Question

theyankee · Answer

I quote "The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been going on for decades and has a number of somewhat complicated causes, but the main issues at the heart of the strife are land and borders. Where one country ends and the other begins — and whether two independent countries should exist at all — is a big part of it. Both groups believe that they have a God-given right to the territory, and both claim rights based on the pact God made with Abraham in the Bible’s Old Testament. The opponents were once part of the same group of people who inhabited what was considered the Promised Land. Who controls Jerusalem, which is considered by many to be a holy city, also factors in; so do issues of water rights and control of a very limited supply of fresh water. Problems of force, violence, and terrorism have also fueled the conflict, particularly in the 21st century. Control over fresh water is also a pressing issue. The disputed land sits in a desert where drinking water is scarce. Well drilling, plumbing, and the ability to move this resource from place to place is a matter of intense debate and strife. There isn’t usually enough for both countries to have unlimited access, and the ability to control distribution is a major source of power." http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-some-causes-of-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict.htm