Israel-Hamas war resource guide

Sarah Wilson and Kimaya Mundhe • January 18, 2024

Made by Kimaya Mundhe on Canva

Purpose statement

Over the past months, the Israel-Hamas war has amassed significant international attention, particularly following the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7. While the war is most fundamentally a dispute over territory, its immense religious, historical and political implications make the complexities of this multi-decade conflict unable to be fully accounted for in a single article.

However, as misinformation continues to populate social media, the need for unbiased, diverse media coverage that is accessible for students is becoming increasingly apparent.

As such, we have researched and compiled a brief resource guide for students to utilize, including sources for historical context, current events and local resources. We encourage all members of the WHHS community to continue researching beyond this guide, and we welcome suggestions for other resources to include.

Essential vocabulary

Adapted from the Associated Press Israel-Hamas Topical Guide

Hamas- a governing militant group seeking to liberate Palestinian territories; recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S.
Israel- a Jewish state recognized by the U.N.; considered the occupying power of Gaza and Palestinian territories; inhabited by Israelis
Palestine- territories including the West Bank and Gaza; inhabited by Palestinians (primarily Muslims)
Gaza Strip- a Palestinian territory that Palestinians seek as part of a future state; politically controlled by Hamas, but economically restricted by Israel and Egypt
Antisemitism- discrimination or prejudice against Jews
Islamophobia- discrimination or prejudice against Muslims
Zionism- a movement for the creation and protection of a Jewish state in Israel

Resources

History

UN statement The UN published this summary of historical events and has continued to provide coverage of the war and informational resources. The UN has declared that it seeks a peaceful resolution to the conflict and has recently adopted a resolution focusing on humanitarian assistance.
The New York Times timeline The New York Times published this timeline following the attack of Oct. 7. Historically, The New York Times has advocated for the creation of Palestinian state, but its editorial board has denounced the tactics of Hamas and called instead for peaceful negotiations.
Al Jazeera timeline Al Jazeera, a Middle Eastern media network, published this timeline and has continued to provide live coverage of the war.

Current events

U.S. Policy The Council on Foreign Relations explained more recent U.S. interests in the dispute, including its position on Palestinian statehood, Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and aid to both Israel and Palestine.
Statement from Biden President Biden’s statement on Oct. 10 presented a strong stance on the events of Oct. 7. He condemned the ‘evil’ and ‘abhorrent’ attack on Israel, repeatedly stating “We stand with Israel.”
Recent Developments The Center for Preventive Action regularly updates this tracker of the Israel-Hamas war with the latest news and relevant historical background.

Local resources

The Cincinnati Enquirer, a daily newspaper, has published various articles regarding the conflict’s local impact. Articles include an opinion published by CPS superintendent Iranetta Wright, an opinion published by a representative of Cincinnati’s Holocaust & Humanity Center, as well as companion articles featuring local Muslim and Jewish communities.
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center, housed in Union Terminal, provides resources and leads outreach initiatives for Holocaust education and modern advocacy.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a national organization that advocates for American Muslims and provides educational resources and outreach about Islam. View Ohio’s chapter here or the national site here.
Student Rights and Responsibilities This subsection of the WHHS Student Handbook details students’ rights and responsibilities pertaining to assembly, discrimination, common courtesy and mutual respect, expression, grievances, publications and student government. The full handbook can be accessed here.

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About the Contributors

Sarah Wilson, Managing Editor of Visual Elements

In her fourth year as a Chatterbox staff member, Sarah Wilson is excited to work as the Managing Editor of Visual Elements. Wilson’s goals this year include emphasizing visual storytelling in all elements of the paper and increasing circulation of the Chatterbox within the WHHS community. Wilson was previously the Managing Editor of Visual Elements for the 2023-2024 school year, Section Editor of Opinions for the 2022-2023 school year and a writer for the Features section during the 2021-2022 school year. Wilson is also the secretary for the Student Congress Class of 2025, an officer for FBLA and a member of HOSA Medical Club. She plans to attend college and pursue a career in the medical field. In her spare time, Wilson enjoys listening to music, being outdoors and volunteering at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Kimaya Mundhe, Operations Manager

In her fourth year as a Chatterbox staff member, Kimaya Mundhe, ‘25, is excited to work as the Managing Editor of Viewpoints. This year she plans on managing advertisement sales, subscription, and circulation. Mundhe was previously a Features Writer, Features Section Editor, Managing Editor of Current Events and Managing Editor of Viewpoints. Some of her favorite Chatterbox memories include interviewing Mayor Aftab Pureval and attending the National Fall Journalism Convention in St. Louis. She is also President of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), a representative on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council, a member of the Superintendent's Student Leadership Council and a Sources of Strength peer leader. When she is not taking part in any of those activities, you can usually find her reading the news, lifting weights, playing the Wordle, practicing photography or watching movies.