Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy, and Options for Congress Updated January 11, 2024 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R47828 Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy, and Options for Congress Congressional Research Service Contents Conflict Overview ........................................................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 1 Key Developments .................................................................................................................... 3 U.S. Policy ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Israeli Military Operations and Pauses ...................................................................................... 5 Potential Post-Conflict Scenarios .............................................................................................. 6 U.S. Military Deployments ....................................................................................................... 7 U.S. Military Response to Iranian-Supported Groups .............................................................. 8 U.S. Expedited Arms Deliveries to Israel ................................................................................. 8 Humanitarian Assistance for Palestinians ................................................................................. 9 Supplemental Appropriations Legislation ................................................................................. 9 Possible Options for Congress........................................................................................................ 11 Additional U.S. Assistance for Israel and Possible Conditions ................................................ 11 Humanitarian Assistance for Palestinians and Israel ................................................................ 11 Monitoring U.S. Security Assistance for Human Rights Purposes ......................................... 12 Figures Figure 1. Israel and Gaza: Conflict Map ......................................................................................... 2 Contacts Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 13 Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy, and Options for Congress Congressional Research Service 1 Conflict Overview Background On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas (a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, or FTO) led a series of surprise attacks from the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air against Israel (see Figure 1). Palestine Islamic Jihad (or PIJ, another FTO) claimed that its forces also participated in the attacks, and other militants outside of Hamas and PIJ may also have joined. The assault targeted Israe...
