The recent upsurge in the conflict between Israel and the Islamist Palestinian group, Hamas, is very unfortunate and may further jeopardise peaceful coexistence in our polarized world. In what happens to be a surprise attack, Hamas fighters invaded southern Israel by air, sea and land on October 7, 2023, from Gaza Strip. They fired thousands of rockets and killed about 1,300 people, including soldiers and children in southern Israeli towns, Kibbutzim, army bases and a packed all-night music festival in the desert near the Gaza border. Over 3,000 people were injured and more than 200 people taken hostage by Hamas.
In retaliation, Israel has been pounding Gaza with airstrikes. Palestinian Health Authority said at least 3,000 had been killed in Gaza while over 12,000 others reportedly sustained injuries. Several buildings and other properties worth millions of dollars have been destroyed. More than 300,000 residents of Gaza have been displaced. Israeli government said over 1,500 Hamas militants were killed during the fighting.
Journalists are not spared. Last week, Israeli shell killed a Reuters videographer and injured six other journalists covering the clashes on the border in southern Lebanon.
So far, the two warring parties have not agreed to any truce. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to annihilate Hamas. Israel has also warned over one million Palestinians to relocate to a safer place in Southern Gaza or risk the wrath of 400,000 Israeli soldiers. Israeli Defence Forces have mobilized over 300,000 army reservists, the largest in Israel’s history. Israel has also cut off food, electricity, fuel and medicine supply to Gaza.
On its part, Hamas has threatened to start killing Israeli hostages and film the executions if Israel does not stop shelling homes in Gaza. The fear of many Palestinians is that there could be a repeat of what happened during the 1948 war when they migrated en masse from their territory which has now become Israel.
US President, Joe Biden, condemned the Hamas attack and said Israel had a right to defend itself and its people. Russia has proposed a humanitarian ceasefire, while Iran’s foreign minister warned that the fighting could escalate to other parts of the Middle East if Israel did not stop bombarding Gaza. European Union leader, Charles Michel, warned of a possible surge in refugees into Europe if care was not taken. This, he said, could deepen divisions and inflame tensions between the supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestine.
History of the conflict between Arabs and Jews over ownership of the Holy Land dates back to more than a century. Hamas, founded in 1987 during the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, seeks the destruction of Israel, claiming it is defending Palestinians’ freedom and self-determination. Hamas sees the Holy Land as an Arab Islamic Land and seeks its complete liberation. There is also a long-running dispute over the Al-Aqsa Mosque which had culminated in violence and 11-day war between Israel and Hamas in 2021. The mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
Experts have noted that the Israel-Hamas war could seriously affect the global economy. The war between Russia and Ukraine had triggered inflation in many parts of the world. The Middle East conflict could worsen it. This war has led to closure of schools, businesses and could lead to financial crisis for a lot of people. It could also lead to more fractured relationships in the Middle East.
Although Hamas ignited this current war, there is no need to apportion blame to any side. The world should look for ways of enthroning enduring peace in that region.
The United Nations has a big role to play. It should bring the two warring parties to a roundtable. Rigidity will not solve any problem in this matter. The two parties should be able to give concessions where necessary in order to allow peace to reign.
The United States has a major role to play in resolving this lingering conflict. As a major supporter of Israel, the US should prevail on that country to cease fire and consider civilians who are the main victims in this conflagration. War cannot solve any conflict. Dialogue and the spirit of live and let live are the major instruments that can bring peace to the troubled region. A two-state solution, which has long been canvassed as the best hope for peace between Israel and Palestine, should be seriously considered as well. This presupposes an independent Palestinian state established alongside the existing one of Israel. The major snag here is deciding what a potential Palestinian state borders will be.
Ultimately, our world needs peace. The Middle East needs peace without which development will continue to be a mirage. Hamas should tread softly. It should desist from launching unprovoked attacks on Israel. The world is still suffering the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Starting another one in the already troubled world will spell doom for world peace.