Since Israel killed two prominent figures in the Iran-backed Palestine activities in the region, the Gaza war appears to be posing a threat of turning into a larger regional conflict that may involve the US directly. It may be a testament to the exceptional Israeli intelligence that a senior Hamas negotiator was assassinated last week in Tehran. It did, however, directly confront the governing Ayatollahs, who were rendered vulnerable even in their own safe havens and made to look foolish in front of their own people. A couple of days prior, the Israel Defense Force had taken out Hamas’s military chief in Gaza.
Over 30,000 individuals have died in Israel’s more than seven-month-long battle against Hamas, the majority of them were civilians and included a sizable number of women and children.
Every other day, tens of thousands of Palestinians are forced into homelessness and are forced to relocate as a result of Israel’s directives in order to escape an unrelenting barrage of bombs and missiles. Even as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens every day, the UN has called for a ceasefire on several occasions.
However, Israel is not inclined to comply with international requests for a ceasefire. Instead, as a result of promises of harsh vengeance from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, the world is now living in fear of a larger conflict following the two high-profile assassinations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be unabated in his crusade against those who are viewed as Israel’s foes. It appears that Netanyahu is unwilling to heed US advice due to his desire to keep up the military conflict in order to prevent being overthrown. The United States, the only nation steadfastly dedicated to ensuring Israel’s survival in whatever situation, may have lost its influence over Netanyahu primarily due to internal discord, as neither the Democrats nor the Republicans were able to forge a united front against an increasingly aggressive Netanyahu.
Otherwise, Israel shouldn’t have to keep trying to pound Gaza into oblivion every hour as it has effectively neutralized Hezbollah and the senior leadership of Hamas. Before it spreads over the entire Middle East, the senseless attack on Gaza must end.
ABHISHEK VERMA
