The war in Gaza has entered a decisive phase, with Israel openly threatening to annex Gaza, parts of the Syrian Golan Heights and southern Lebanon. The delusional Arab world, however, is yet to understand the consequences if Israel occupies and takes control of the said territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unlike the Arab leadership, is clear that he wants to recreate the biblical times of “Greater Israel” at the expense of innocent people.
Arabs, who possess the money muscle, are still hoping for a ceasefire that would see an end to the hostilities between the two sides and result in lasting peace.
The war in Gaza is one month away from entering its second year with neither of the two sides having any endgame in mind as to where the invasion of Gaza should stop.
Israel is particularly emboldened because of unprecedented US support, which has not only provided the money, muscle and ordnance but also helped Israeli defence forces in intelligence gathering, as the CIA maintains a robust network of agents inside majority of the Muslim-dominated Arab region.
Plus, Washington has extended its diplomatic umbrella, shielding Israeli defence forces and government officials who are accused of carrying out acts of war against civilians, from being persecuted in the International Court of Justice.
Washington has provided billions of dollars’ worth of weapons aid to Tel Aviv in its fight and ongoing invasion of Gaza that has killed more than 62,000 people and injured more than 150,000, with thousands more buried under the rubble in Gaza since October 8, 2023.
The war has displaced 2.2 million people, with 90 per cent of the pre-war infrastructure levelled to the ground.
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Additionally, Israel is now clearly indulging in challenging the sovereignty of the neighbouring nations. Very recently, its forces illegally moved into contested and internationally recognised Syrian territory in the Golan Heights, further escalating tensions in the region.
It later carried out an intensive bombing near the southern part of the border in the country, while the Syrian government has demanded UN action against Israel. It seems highly unlikely that the UN would enforce any strict actions against it.
Despite fierce international criticism from France, Spain, Italy, the UK, and 23 other nations, Israel’s Gaza occupation resolve remains firm.
France, in particular, has been a vocal critic of the Israeli actions in Gaza, with Macron calling the IDF’s actions questionable after they destroyed an under-construction school in Gaza, which was funded by Paris and supported by the United Nations.
The French foreign ministry has said that “these moves of destruction are not acceptable to France and that Israeli forces must stop firing at the aid seekers near the GHF sites.”
The controversial role of US
The US has played a discouraging role, especially after Donald Trump became the president for the second term. The violence across the Gaza Strip has doubled, with a larger number of civilian deaths being reported in the last seven months.
US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who was appointed to mend ties between the Arabs and Israel by ending the current war in Gaza, has also ended up endorsing the Israeli narratives in the conflict rather than pushing for a ceasefire.
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He has mostly blamed Hamas for rejecting the peace deal, whereas reports from Israeli media outlets clearly state that the ceasefire deal is not acceptable to the Netanyahu government.
The countries that can play a decisive role in solving the Gaza war are China and India, both of which maintain cordial ties with the Middle East.
China’s cautious approach
China has maintained a balanced approach when it comes to the Gaza war; it has condemned the Israeli government and its forces for killing aid seekers and also starving the innocent population in the Gaza Strip as collective punishment. Though it has also maintained that Hamas must show a little more leniency in peace talks with Israel.
India’s role
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who enjoys good relations with the Israeli premier, could play an important role in making sure that a meaningful ceasefire agreement is reached.
Modi can use his goodwill to help protect the vulnerable population of Gaza, who are facing a mass starvation crisis. India’s position is also based on the humanitarian principles supporting a two-state solution to end the crisis and ongoing hostilities between Jews and Arabs.
Fading international support
International support to Israel has tanked to an all-time low since the majority of the international actors have criticised the Netanyahu government for its war conduct in Gaza.
Meanwhile, all eyes are now set on the United Nations General Assembly annual session, which is due in the first week of September.
Several countries, including some of the top Israeli supporters, are set to recognise an independent and separate Palestinian state, giving Israel a major diplomatic shock. Australia, the UK, France and Spain are some of the major nations set to recognise the Palestinian state next month.
While Israel can claim victory in the military operations, Palestinians rejoice in the diplomatic victory over Israel. The Palestinians will also be rejoicing at the fact that they have managed to snatch major diplomatic support from Israel.
Arab delusion
The Arab states, except for Qatar and Egypt, can hang their heads in shame that despite having 57-member organisations of the Islamic Cooperation, OPEC+, and Gulf Cooperation Council-like organisations, they have done nothing to protect the civilians, especially those dying from hunger and malnutrition.
It will be interesting to see which nations will come in support of Palestine, not just by recognising the independent state but through concrete measures aimed at ending the war and stopping Israel’s upcoming advances in the territory.
By Waseem Ahmed Ganie
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