At the very outset, it is very important to condemn the multiple attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel and its citizens, leading to a situation which would result in a prolonged conflict in West Asia. The brutality and the suddenness of the Hamas assault that was nothing but a terrorist action has been widely condemned by countries all across the globe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was amongst the first to express his solidarity with Israel thereby reinforcing India’s commitment to oppose any terrorist action anywhere in the world. The Ministry of External Affairs subsequently issued a more nuanced statement saying that New Delhi was for a settlement of the issue “through direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel”.
Israel has called it as their 9/11 moment, and many political observers believe that Tel Aviv, in response should not commit the same mistakes as Washington did, after the terrorist acts in New York and others parts of the country. The military strikes in retaliation to the attack also are bound to have wide ranging ramifications for the region and therefore must be viewed in the context of the emerging situations throughout the world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to finish off Hamas, but many in his own country believe, that it was his arrogance which led to the current scenario, and while Tel Aviv had the intelligence, the government there never thought that Hamas could ever dare to cross the line.
According to Seymour Hersh, well known author, commentator and journalist, Hamas was a creation of the Israeli state which wanted to empower it in order to weaken the other Palestinian organizations. The terror outfit was funded by Qatar money with the tacit approval of Israel and thus started playing a role in the internal politics of the region, particularly in the Gaza area.
Hamas may have been served the death warrant by the Prime Minister, but what it has actually achieved is that it has been able to dent the invincible brand image of Israel, which was viewed as smart state, with super intelligence network, a military power that wielded immense influence and a country which was always ahead of its enemies. No one can imagine that such an attack would have taken place with the Israeli establishment totally caught unawares.
While the Hamas action, which led to the deaths of innocent civilians and non-combatant citizens cannot be in any way justified, but the situation must be viewed keeping in mind what could have been the objective of such an action, knowing fully well the consequences. Hersh says that his assessment based on his sources is that “Netanyahu is finished. He is a walking dead man. He will stay in office only until the shooting stops…maybe another month or two”. The Hamas also knows that it would never have a free run and the large Muslim population within Gaza and elsewhere shall face the repercussions of its assault. The counter offensive by Israel has been brutal and has not spared civilians and non-combatants either. There are pictures of children being starved and needing medical attention, as there were, when Hamas had struck on that fateful day.
One of the objectives of Hamas must have been to ensure that Saudi Arabia does not become a part of the Abraham Accords with Israel under the watchful eyes of the United States. This goal must have been shared by other countries in the region, particularly Iran, which is being accused by Israel of sponsoring the attack by supplying the weapons.
Another consequence of this conflict is that Ukraine that had been occupying the headlines in the western press in particular is on the back burner, and every resource which the United States can muster is being diverted to Israel, its long-time ally.
In other words, with Ukraine being relegated in importance, Russia and China must have also been relieved to some degree. In fact, the military engagement of Israel with Hamas and which is threatening to extend to other countries as well, is certainly going to alter the international political situation.
A cause of great concern for Israel and its allies is that demonstrations in many important global cities expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause are being held. The demand for a separate and sovereign state, independent of any other influences which was not on the top of the agenda of many nations, has returned.
The events as they are unfolding in the warzone largely are giving out the Israeli viewpoint. The Western media is making unexpected mistakes as a leading London newspaper in its headline stated, “Israel shows mutilated babies” but carried a picture which is of Palestinian children wounded in airstrikes.
If Seymour Hersh’s assertion about Hamas being propped up by the Israel establishment comes out to be true, there would be serious consequences in that country’s domestic politics as well. There is no doubt that as a military power, Israel is very strong and influential and also enjoys the support of multiple western powers. Its propaganda machinery is also very penetrative. However, there is a lot of introspection that needs to be carried out.
While the world has condemned what Hamas has done, but Israel should not allow its retaliation to target innocent women and children and deprive them of essential items. The West Asia saga would certainly leave an everlasting impact. Between us.