Newspaper Article 25/04/2024
Iran has directly confronted Israel. The confrontation was a result of an attack at Iranian Consulate in Damascus. Israel has denied the attack on Iranian Consulate. The attack claimed the lives of 13 people, including senior Iranian commanders. The retaliation by Iran was to tell Israel that any attack on its sovereignty will be dealt with force. Iran’s act has seen a mixed response from world quarters. Majed Abu Hamza of Gaza City says, “We have been slaughtered for over six months and no one dared to do anything. Now Iran, after its consulate was hit, is hitting back at Israel and this brings joy into our hearts.” On the other hand, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has condemned the Iranian attack on Israel. He said, “Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard.” Seeing the Iran-Israel confrontation in light of international law. Initially, it was Israel that attacked the Iranian Consulate in Syria. This attack was in violation of international regulations especially the ‘Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.’ Iran by launching projectiles against Israel has tried to convey the latter that the strike on Iranian Consulate was akin to an attack on Iranian territory. Iran’s attack has not caused damage to Israeli property. This has been equated as Israel’s successful interception of the Iranian onslaught, and framed as a success of Israel by President Joe Biden
Since last October Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has been in news. Israeli targeting of children is an inhumane act; it is a death of humanity. Around 33,729 Palestinians, including 12,000 children have been killed by the Israeli genocidal regime. The proponents of human rights and the conventions of international law have failed to stop the Israeli aggression. It foretells that the military force is the strength to live, and survive in this world. The military prowess defines the law on ground. Iran by attacking Israel has displayed its military muscle, and it is this projection of force that has raised concerns in Middle East and the West about the likely escalation of Iran-Israel confrontation. However, the sufferings of people of Palestine failed to jolt the world conscious. But this time, the military response has awakened the world that in case of an expanded conflict, the security of region will be jeopardized.
Israel’s ground offensive in Rafah this week has been delayed due to the Iran’s attack. The offensive in Rafah was to dismantle the remaining Hamas elements there. Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi has said that the Iran’s attack on Israel “will be met with a response.” From the Iranian side, Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kan has said, “Iran will respond in seconds to any responsive strikes from Israel.” The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called upon peace, he said: “I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation,” efforts are needed “to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.”
The way the situation in Middle East is unfolding, it foretells that allowing an aggressor to further its agenda will worsen the security environment, and that is what has happened in Middle East. The policy to be a spectator in Gaza has indirectly abetted Israel to continue with its genocidal approach. The Iran-Israel encounter is an outcome of the Israeli aggressive pursuits in region. In a recent development, ninety Lawmakers in the US Congress have supported US$ 14 billion assistance to Israel. The human and material loss which the people of Gaza have faced makes them more eligible for foreign aid. To rebuild the war-torn Gaza territory requires finances.
The Middle Eastern countries need to adopt a regional policy wherein the focus is on dialogue, trade and peaceful settlement. The reason being war in one country does not remain confined to a particular area rather it ramifies the entire region. The unrest in Gaza or the Iran-Israel confrontation will impact the entire Middle Eastern region. Fuel prices will be increased, and the economic engagement at intra-regional level will be at the lowest ebb. All this will impact the region’s overall economic well-being. With poor economy and lack of economic opportunities, the extremist tendencies in region will be reinforced.
Note: This article appeared in The Scoop, dated 25 April 2024.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are of the author and do not necessarily represent Institute’s policy.