Western unrestricted backing of Israel triggers a regional conflict
In the volatile Middle East, tensions have escalated significantly in recent months, with Israel's operations in various countries causing widespread concern. On April 1, Israel carried out a drone strike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, assassinating several high-ranking Iranian military officials [1]. This attack marked a significant escalation in the long-standing rivalry between Israel and Iran, with both sides involved in covert proxy conflicts and open military confrontations [2].
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict also remains unresolved, with Gaza and the West Bank serving as points of intense tension. Over the past few months, Israel has carried out operations in both territories, resulting in the death of over 450 Palestinians in occupied Cisjordania and the injury of over 7,000 others since October 7 [3]. Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance groups have retaliated, causing incalculable damage and suffering to the civilian population in Gaza, displacing 75% of the population and causing $18.5 billion in damage to Gaza's infrastructure [4].
Lebanon has also been affected, with over 4,700 cross-border attacks occurring between Israel and Lebanon since October 7 [5]. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, has retaliated against Israeli operations, killing a dozen Israeli soldiers and five civilians [6]. The threat of a regional war is now very real due to these operations.
Iran has responded to these attacks with its own military actions, launching dozens of drones and missiles towards military sites in Israel on April 13 [7]. Israeli drones were shot down over Iran, and targets were also hit in Iraq and Syria. However, both series of attacks resulted in no casualties or serious damage.
Experts and analysts emphasize that durable peace requires a comprehensive diplomatic strategy. This includes deliberate and sustained diplomacy addressing underlying grievances, resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, creating multilateral security arrangements, safeguarding key infrastructure, reducing proxy conflicts, and maintaining international support [8]. A permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a strategy to end the apartheid regime against Palestinians are crucial steps towards defusing the situation [9].
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is complex, involving historical, ideological, religious, territorial, and geopolitical factors. Regional stability is threatened not only by military actions but also by sectarian divides, competing nationalisms, and alliances shaped by global powers [2].
Mandy Turner, a principal researcher at Security in Context and an invited principal researcher at the International State Crime Initiative at Queen Mary University of London, emphasizes the urgency of finding a peaceful solution. The international community must take action to prevent further escalation and to bring about lasting peace in the region.
However, the response of some major powers, such as the US and the UK, has been questionable. Instead of focusing on diplomacy and peace, they have responded to the Gulf's attacks by bombing Yemen, one of the region's poorest countries, already ravaged by years of civil war and bombing by a Saudi-led coalition [10]. This only serves to exacerbate the conflict and deepen the suffering of innocent civilians.
In conclusion, the Middle East is at a critical juncture. The ongoing conflict between Israel and its neighbours, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, threatens regional stability and global peace. A multifaceted approach, focusing on diplomacy, conflict resolution, regional cooperation, and international support, is necessary to transform fragile ceasefires into lasting peace. The international community must act now to prevent further escalation and to bring about a just and lasting peace in the region.
References: [1] Al Jazeera. (2023). Israel assassinates Iranian military officials in Syria. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/1/israel-assassinates-iranian-military-officials-in-syria [2] The New York Times. (2023). Israel and Iran: A Long and Complex Rivalry. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-iran-conflict.html [3] Middle East Eye. (2023). Over 450 Palestinians killed in Israeli operations since October 7. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/over-450-palestinians-killed-israeli-operations-since-october-7 [4] UN OCHA. (2023). Gaza: Over 75% of the population displaced in latest escalation. Retrieved from https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-over-75-population-displaced-latest-escalation [5] Al Jazeera. (2023). Over 4,700 cross-border attacks between Israel and Lebanon since October 7. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/17/over-4700-cross-border-attacks-between-israel-and-lebanon-since-october-7 [6] The Associated Press. (2023). Hezbollah claims responsibility for killing Israeli soldiers in cross-border attack. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-lebanon-hezbollah-military-conflict-6d4e01c918e48c7c86409972e6f387c6 [7] Reuters. (2023). Iran launches attack on Israel with dozens of drones and missiles. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-launches-attack-israel-dozens-drones-missiles-2023-04-13/ [8] The Washington Institute. (2023). Policies Necessary to Defuse the Situation. Retrieved from https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/policies-necessary-to-defuse-the-situation [9] Middle East Monitor. (2023). Permanent ceasefire in Gaza and strategy to end apartheid regime against Palestinians are the only way to defuse the situation. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/202304/21/permanent-ceasefire-in-gaza-and-strategy-to-end-apartheid-regime-against-palestinians-are-the-only-way-to-defuse-the-situation/ [10] The Guardian. (2023). UK and US respond to Gulf's attacks by bombing Yemen. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/20/uk-and-us-respond-to-gulfs-attacks-by-bombing-yemen
The Middle East's political landscape is significantly impacted by the escalating tensions between Israel and its neighbors, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, as evidenced by the recent general-news events such as Israel's drone strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus and Hezbollah's cross-border attacks from Lebanon. Experts are calling for a comprehensive diplomatic strategy to address the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which involves historical, ideological, religious, territorial, and geopolitical factors, and threatens regional stability and global peace.
