GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinians have yet to agree whether the daily confrontations against the Israeli military are a popular uprising that may end at any moment, or a third Palestinian movement that has already started and will continue for years like the first intifada (1987-1993) and the second intifada (2000- 2006).

Since the end of the second intifada, clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli military continued sporadically in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967. However, since Oct. 1, the Palestinian unrest has quickly flared up and spread to wider Palestinian areas in the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Palestinian cities and towns in the 1948 territories.

According to a statement issued on Oct. 26 by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 59 Palestinians including 14 children and a pregnant woman have been killed so far.

Hamas leader Nazih Abu Aoun told Al-Monitor, “The form of the current Palestinian revolt is not important as long as it keeps growing into a full-blown and real Palestinian intifada.” He added, “The Palestinians’ means to defend themselves during this intifada are gradually evolving. Palestinians started throwing stones, then stabbing, running over and shooting Israeli soldiers, and we do not know how things will evolve.”