On October 7, Palestinian militants led by Hamas launched an unprecedented offensive out of Gaza into the south of Israel, attacking both civilian and military targets and killing some 1,300 people. In response, Israel has launched an all-out assault on the population of Gaza. In addition to bombarding Gaza — including with illegal white phosphorous munitions — Israel has imposed a total blockade on the densely populated territory, cutting off food, water, fuel, and electricity. On October 13, Israel told over a million residents of northern Gaza that they immediately must evacuate to the south.

On October 12, Lever editor David Sirota interviewed Matt Duss, the executive vice president of the Center for International Policy, and Daniel Bessner, professor of international studies at the University of Washington and Jacobin contributing editor, for the Lever Time podcast. Sirota, Duss, and Bessner discussed the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine and its historical roots, including the United States’ support for right-wing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s extreme policies. This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.