“Fragile Stability” as a Political Background of October 7

This edited book aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of the preceding and ongoing development of the Israel-Gaza war, using a multidisciplinary approach. The chapters, written by scholars of the Middle Eastern studies, political science, anthropology, and international law, investigate the root causes of the eruption of the war, taking a viewpoint from within. Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 caused deep shockwaves throughout the world. While the developments seemed unprecedented, the question remains whether it was an unpredictable total surprise. Given the context surrounding Palestine and Israel, it is likely that there were inherent elements in the preceding political environment that led to the current humanitarian disaster and quagmire of the battle. The assumption is that the existence of “fragile stability” might have caused the October 7 attack. What kind of fragility and robustness of the framework existed in the political, social, legal, and international conditions? How did these conditions affect the conduct of the actors in this region ultimately leading to the current situation? What challenges are likely to emerge in this region in the near future? This book addresses these questions from various perspectives. For the best clarification of the questions, authors include experts in American studies who discuss the diplomatic intervention of the United States, a former judge of the International Criminal Court who explores the role of international law in the conflict, and a legal advisor to the Oslo Peace Process who provides understanding the deep roots of the conflict. The analysis of this volume will provide an in-depth understanding of the background of the October 7 attack and contributes to the theoretical development of the concept of “fragile stability,” which can be applied to examine other cases of conflict.