Table of Contents
CONTEXT: Recently, the Hamas operation, Toofan Al-Aqsa has escalated violence between Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group, and Israel. In this context it needs to be seen as what impact it can have on West Asian geostrategic architecture.
MORE ON THE NEWS:
- Israel has confronted the largest single-day casualties in its history and size of the attacks by Hamas on Israel are unprecedented.
- Over 600 deaths and 1,600 injuries, coordinated infiltration in 22 places by about a thousand militants and over 5,000 rockets has been witnessed. In addition, dozens of persons, mostly women and children, kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip.
- In response, full mobilization of Israeli population for offensive attacks into the densely populated Gaza Strip is underway.
WHAT CASUSES THE WAR?
- Weak government: The current Israel’s ultra nationalist government is seen as inefficient to security challenges. Even before Toofan Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem’s hard-line has led to a surge in violence with over 200 Palestinians and 30 Israelis dead this year.
- International backing: Hamas attacks are seen to be backed by countries as Iran and Qatar which are engaging, funding and patronizing several islamist groups including Hamas.
- Response to violence at al Aqsa Mosque: Hamas has referred to the attack as a response to military raids of Israel in the West Bank and violence at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
HISTORY OF ISRAEL PALESTINE CONFLICT
- In World War I, after the Ottoman Empire fell, Palestine which had a population divided between Arab majority and Jewish minority, went under the control of Britain.
- Britain was given the task of creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine by the international community, which led to increased tensions between Arabs and Jews.
- The demand for a Jewish homeland emerged as part of an ethno-nationalist movement called Zionism which started in the late 19th century and aimed at creating a homeland for the Jews in Palestine.
- In the wake of World War II and the Nazi Holocaust of Jewish people, the demand for a Jewish nation increased and it gained the support of the people.
- Many Jews fled Europe to save themselves from persecution, and Palestine saw a sudden influx of Jewish immigrants in the 1920s and 1940s.
- As tensions escalated between Arabs and Jews, the resistance to the British regime intensified further.
- The United Nations adopted a partition plan in 1947, according to which Palestine was to be divided into separate Jewish and Arab states and Jerusalem was to remain under international administration.
- The plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership, however, the Arabs rejected it and it was never implemented.
- Immediately after the partition plan was adopted, a war broke out between Arabs and Zionist settlers who were entering Palestine.
- The founding of Israel was proclaimed by the Jewish leaders, with the support of the British authorities and the United Nations, in 1948. The war saw intervention by neighbouring Arab countries with military force.
- In 1949, the first Arab-Israeli War ended with the victory of Israel and 750,000 Palestinians were reportedly displaced, which they called Al Nakba, or “The Catastrophe”.
- The territory was divided into three parts – the Arab West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Jewish Israel. To date, the conflict remains unresolved.
WHAT IS HAMAS?
- Hamas is a Palestinian militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. It is designated as a terrorist group by Israel and western world. It is backed by Iran and Turkey with material and financial support.
- Its rival party is Fatah which dominates the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and rules in the West Bank.
- It aims to replace Israel with an Islamic state. Hamas has fought several wars with Israel since it took power in Gaza in 2007.
- It is known for the launch of 19-day Yom Kippur War 50 years ago which led to a regional tectonic shift with Israel accepting a ‘land for peace’ formula at the Camp David Accords six years later.
IMPACT ON WEST ASIAN GEOSTRATEGIC ARCHITECTURE
- Can affect Israel domestic policies: As the crisis shows the security challenges faced by the Israeli government, some power shifts are expected. The crisis is also likely to deter the national unity.
- Conflict within Palestine: Palestine authority is itself vertically split between the West Bank run by al-Fatah with Israeli occupation in a modus vivendi with Israeli occupation authorities, and Gaza administered by Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel. Al Fatah too has condemned the Hamas over violence which can intensify conflict within Palestine.
- Can boost non-state Arab militia: This conflict could potentially revive and further boost the standing of non-state Arab militias, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, al-Houthis, Islamic State, various avatars of al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab.
- Delay in rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia: Israel would be unwilling to grant the concessions to the Palestinians sought by Riyadh. This can have profound consequences for regional geopolitics and can cause a delay in the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
- Regional condemnation: Only Arab neighbour of Gaza is Egypt who does not support Gazan rulers. Also, all the Gulf monarchies, except Qatar, strongly disapprove of Hamas, calling it a political Islamic outfit. Also, though Qatar provides humanitarian assistance but it too has limited its aid due to its relation with USA. Also, Turkey supports Hamas but it itself is facing financial issues. Similarly, Damascus is also not supportive of Hamas despite having reconciled in 2022.
- Iran’s stand: Iran has long been a mentor of the Hamas group and has tried to replicate its success in creating a Hezbollah-type proto-state in Gaza to threaten Israel. Also, pro-Iranian regional outfits like al-Houthis could support the Gazans.
IMPACT FOR INDIA:
- While India is not directly affected by Toofan Al-Aqsa, it would nevertheless feel some effect.
- The regional turbulence could cause collateral damage through an oil price rise, impact our diaspora, and dim the prospects for India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and other I2U2 constructs.
- It can also highlight India as a safe, fast-growing economy for foreign investments, largely insulated from the turmoil.
THE WAY FORWARD
- Peaceful solution: As revenge only increases violence and lead to severe human and material damage. It is the need of hour to have peaceful solution in the region. The democratization of the Palestinian society through which new credible leadership can be one of the solution.
- Revisit of strategy: Despite hi-tech missile defence and Artificial Intelligence Israel failed to avoid such attack. This indicates Israel to revise its strategic doctrines.
- Two state solution: The most optimum solution is a “two-state solution” that would establish Palestine as an independent state in Gaza and most of the West Bank, leaving the rest of the land to Israel. Both sides need to make it work in practice.
- Global solution: The need of the hour is to treat this conflict of the regional area rather than conflict between two countries. All the stakeholder countries should participate in the negotiations and act on final agreement.
THE CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the current crisis will not last long however, it will add on the existing issue and may remain as an disputed and unresolved issue. In this regard, nations and international organizations along with other stakeholders should find a long lasting peaceful solution.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
Q.1 “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (2018)
Q.2 ‘Too little cash, too much politics, leave UNESCO fighting for life.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the US’ withdrawal and its accusation of the cultural body as being ‘anti-Israel bias’.(2019)
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q.1 The recent attack of Hamas on Israel has raised international concern. There is an immediate need for peaceful resolution but that can happen only through talks and not through bloodshed. Discuss the possible solutions in this regard.
Q.2 Discuss the recent Israel Palestine conflict and the impact that it has created in the region and beyond. Also, comment on India’s position on this conflict.
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