To begin, the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 represented a pivotal moment in the Israel-Palestine conflict, which Hamas viewed as an act of resistance. However, the attack, while shocking, proved to be a miscalculation that triggered global compassion for the victims, who were widely perceived as relatable. This sentiment provided Israel with a pretext to escalate its military operations in Gaza, framing the conflict as a matter of self-defense. The emotional impact of this tragedy helped reinforce Israel’s narrative as a victim and justified its disproportionate use of force, which, according to the UN, constituted war crimes. The international community, including the United Nations, condemned these actions, highlighting the ethical and legal issues surrounding the scale of violence inflicted on civilians. The article further details the global outrage caused by Hamas’s subsequent triumphalism, such as the parade of abductees on 25 January 2025, which intensified sympathy for Israel and led to further military escalation. The article also underscores the strategic failures of various leaders, including Donald Trump’s ill-conceived Gaza Peace Plan, which was seen as a misguided attempt to mediate the conflict, and the subsequent negative fallout. As the conflict continued, with Hamas and Israel both engaging in cycles of violence, the need for a new, more sustainable approach has become increasingly evident. The article concludes by emphasizing the necessity of restorative justice, accountability for war crimes, and the pursuit of shared prosperity to achieve lasting peace in the region, suggesting that without such changes, the cycle of violence will persist and escalate further.