During the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BCE), the Jews liberated the Land of Israel from the rule of the Seleucid Greek empire, based in Syria. The revolt’s leaders, the Hasmonean family, thereafter established a new royal dynasty that governed Judea for over century. But in the decades after the revolt sporadic fighting with the Seleucids continued, including a battle in which the Hasmoneans destroyed a Greek settlement known as Tel Iztabba (or Ictaba). Judy Siegel-Itzkovich describes new discoveries at the site:

Until now, it has been suggested by archaeologists that the [battle of Tel Iztabba occurred] between 111 BCE and 107 BCE. But according to new Israeli-German research, based on the remains of chicken bones, snail shells, and plant remains—as well as written evidence—the year, as well as the exact season in which this occurred, has been determined.

Analyzing the archaeological finds revealed residues containing marrow that served to produce eggshells during the laying season in spring. This indicates that the chickens were slaughtered in spring. . . . Botanical examinations of the remnants of flowers on the floors of the dwellings reveal that these plants flowered in spring.

Analysis of the objects is always accompanied by analysis of written evidence: “The contemporary Hebrew scroll of M’gillat Ta’anit [the Scroll of the Fast] about the Hasmonean conquest . . . reports the expulsion of the inhabitants in the Hebrew month of Sivan, which corresponds to our May/June,” [the archaeologists explained].

This underlines previous findings on Hellenistic warfare, as military offensives usually took place in spring and early summer.

Putting the evidence together, the researchers concluded that the conquest took place in Sivan of 107 BCE.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from the history of the Israel-Arab conflict, it’s never to be confident that an end is in sight. Ehud Yaari nevertheless—and with all due caution—points to some noteworthy developments:

The absolute primacy of “armed struggle” in Palestinian discourse has discouraged any serious attempt to discuss or plan for a future Palestinian state. Palestinian political literature is devoid of any substantial debate over what kind of a state they aspire to create. What would be its economic, foreign, and social policies?

One significant exception was a seminar held by Hamas in Gaza—under the auspices of the late Yahya Sinwar—prior to October 7, 2023. The main focus of what was described as a brainstorming session was the question of how to deal with the Jews in the land to be liberated. A broad consensus between the participants was reached that most Israeli Jews should be eradicated or expelled while those contributing to Israel’s success in high tech and other critical domains would be forced to serve the new Palestinian authorities.

Yet, the ongoing aftershocks from the ongoing war in Gaza are posing questions among Palestinians concerning the viability of armed struggle. So far this trend is reflected mainly in stormy exchanges on social-media platforms and internal controversies within Hamas. There is mounting criticism leveled at the late Mohammad Deif and Yahya Sinwar for embarking upon an uncoordinated offensive that is resulting in a “Second Nakba”—a repeat of the defeat and mass displacement caused by launching the war in 1948.

To be sure, “armed struggle” is still being preached daily to the Palestinian communities by Iran and Iranian proxies, and at least half the Palestinian public—according to various polls—believe it remains indispensable. But doubts are being heard. We may be reaching a point where the Palestinians will feel compelled to make a choice between the road which led to past failures and an attempt to chart a new route. It will certainly require time and is bound to cause fractures and divisions, perhaps even a violent split, among the Palestinians.