Terrorism deeply undermines human dignity and stability by targeting the psychological and moral underpinnings of societies, aiming to manipulate perceptions and actions through fear to achieve specific ideological ends. This analysis considers the evolution of ideologies and their role in legitimizing violence within groups by aligning extreme actions with broader political or religious goals.
From an anthropological perspective, terrorism unequivocally poses a serious threat to humanity. By its very nature, it seeks to erode the moral and psychological foundations that uphold the dignity of targeted individuals, employing terror as a technique to achieve specific political, social, ideological, or religious objectives. Ideology acts as a cognitive lens shaping perceptions of the world and guiding actions toward defined objectives. Each ideology is crafted to justify their armed endeavors, thereby securing legitimacy among their members and supporters. Ideologies span diverse domains, from politics to religion, exerting influence over opinions and behaviors, whether peaceful or militant, grounded in ideological principles. The ideological dimension of a group can be characterized as an organization with a set of beliefs that shape individual worldviews and subsequently guide decision-making.
Terrorism is defined as a form of political, physical, and/or psychological communication aimed at destabilising a target population. It is often employed as a last resort when peaceful and diplomatic options and conventions of warfare have failed or are deemed impossible. Those who engage in terrorism understand they will be perceived as dehumanised, resorting to means outside established social norms, yet believing it to be the sole solution to achieve their ends. Seeking to comprehend these violent reactions does not imply justification, but rather opens pathways to necessary peaceful solutions to end violence, promote humanity, and prevent its spread.
On 7 October 2023, Israel, suffered a landmark terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas, ranked as the world’s 14th largest armed force. At that time, Hamas numbered approximately 30,000 fighters, but has since been reduced to less than 9,000 due to Israel’s response. More than nine months have passed since this event, prompting a critical question: will terrorism in the Levant escalate further, posing a threat to humanity? This poignant inquiry underscores a deep-seated anthropological connection between humanity and terrorism, deserving thorough exploration. At the core of humanity lies the fulfillment of our essential needs across all levels: nourishment, water, secure shelter, emotional and physical safety, and enriching social bonds. When these needs are satisfied, individuals cultivate a healthy self-esteem, find their rightful place in society, explore their personal potential, and seek profound meaning in their lives. Conversely, depriving individuals of these fundamental elements can strip them of their humanity, compromising their ability to live with fullness and dignity. Such deprivation may provoke violent reactions, indicative of a desperate struggle for survival or justice.
The most recent terrorist attacks against Israel resulted in the tragic loss of 1,200 lives and the abduction of 251 Israelis. Hamas justifies these actions, in part, as a response to the Gaza blockade since 2007. The blockade has deprived the area’s population of essential needs, leading to chronic insecurity, including food insufficiency, fear of new attacks, economic instability, deteriorating health, educational disruption, social isolation, lack of access to basic services, a desire for peaceful living at home, and freedom of movement. Additionally, Hamas calls for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. In retaliation, Israel launched an assault, asserting it would not cease until all abducted individuals, including 116 still held captive, are returned.
Israel’s counter-offensive has resulted in the death of over 38,867 civilian victims, many of them minors. It is likely that much of the Palestinian population is grappling with severe psychological trauma. More than 77,000 Palestinians, for instance, have sustained serious physical injuries with over half being minors. Additionally, over 10,000 Palestinian civilians, including more than 500 minors, are held in tragic prison conditions in Israel. Over half a million Gaza residents face starvation, and more than two million people have been displaced, their lives uprooted. Heartrending accounts from doctors, journalists, educators, humanitarian workers, bereaved families, and traumatised individuals underscore the profound human suffering pervading in Gaza. At the same time, the Israeli army is conducting preventive counterterrorism operations in the West Bank, leading to the deaths of 544 Palestinians, including 133 children.
The International Court of Justice has determined that Israel is on the brink of committing acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. Israel has been condemned by the International Court of Justice for genocidal acts against the Palestinian people. Numerous experts have also decried what they deem ecocidal intentions, representing deliberate environmental destruction, and alleged scolasticidal actions, symbolising an intent to annihilate cultural and educational institutions of a society, in addition to destroying essential elements for sustaining life among the population.
On 20 May 2024, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Benjamin Netanyahu, and members of Hamas for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Despite extensive efforts by the United Nations and the United States to negotiate a ceasefire, and the UN’s condemnation of Israel’s widespread destruction of vital infrastructure in Gaza—including judicial, educational, and health facilities—these appeals have been disregarded.
Since 8 October, Israel has found itself engaged on multiple fronts beyond Gaza, notably contending with the entire Axis of Resistance, with Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah, presenting the most impressive challenge. Hezbollah possesses the capacity to strike across all Israeli territory, employing a hybrid military prowess that blends guerrilla tactics, insurgency warfare, and state-of-the-art technology. Hezbollah has declared it will continue its offensive against Israel until Israel withdraws from Gaza and ceases its threats against Lebanon.
This ongoing conflict has deeply traumatised populations along the Lebanese Israeli border. In Israel, the northern region has lain deserted for over nine months, transformed into ghost towns with more than 200,000 displaced, with numerous casualties. On the Lebanese side, reports indicate that there are over 100,000 displaced individuals and numerous casualties, primarily among civilians. Both within Israel and internationally, several voices have been calling for restraint from the Israeli government and Hezbollah, since October 2023, intensifying their appeals particularly since June 2024. Concerns are heightened not only due to the potential for devastating retaliatory strikes against Israel but also to Lebanon’s stability and well-being.
Israel’s effort to dismantle Hamas and potentially Hezbollah presents formidable military challenges, while encounting tough ideological obstacles. Hamas, operational since the 1980s, is situated in Gaza, while Hezbollah, established in 1986 in response to Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, has pursued comparable goals over decades from Lebanon. Israel has never managed to defeat them because, despite being labelled terrorist organisations, they are deeply entrenched in robust local ideological and social frameworks. Despite their distinct ideological nuances, these two groups converge in their opposition to Israeli territorial expansion and maintain close affiliations with the Axis of Resistance, championed by Iran.
Faced with the enduring opposition of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah to Israeli territorial expansion, and when peaceful solutions seem unattainable, individuals in Gaza, Israel, Southern Lebanon, and within the Axis of Resistance may turn to ideologies of vengeance to reclaim their human dignity. This response could exacerbate tensions and conflicts in the region. The Israeli military spokesperson recently asserted that it is futile to attempt the destruction of the Hamas, as an idea cannot be vanquished by mere weaponry. To effectively counter the rise of terrorism in the Levant, a holistic approach beyond military and security measures is essential. Building mutual trust among all communities, emphasising common aspirations for peace, security, tolerance, and trust, is crucial. This requires promoting open and respectful dialogues focused on reconciliation to address the underlying causes fuelling terrorism, necessitating a balanced diplomatic strategy aimed at fostering a return to humanity.
Dr Emilie El Khoury is a postdoctoral fellow at Queen’s University’s Centre for International Policy and Defence (CIDP). Her expertise lies in the field of anthropology, with a specific focus on the Middle East and the Maghreb. Her research areas encompass war, religion, politics, and their application to topics such as terrorism, security, gender dynamics, and the processes leading to radicalization and violence.
This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.