Israel and Palestine: Gaza, Iran, Arab states and why any Resolution for Peace is far away
As of posting this episode, Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader has been assassinated in Tehran, Iran on July 31, 2024. So have some top Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon and some Hamas commanders in Gaza. Last night on August 12, 2024 Israel Defense Forces(The Tzahal) went on Peak Alertness with the expectation of an Iranian attack as Iran readied its missiles and drones. As of August 13, this morning 7:47 AM in Jerusalem, this attack has not taken place.
Putting into present context of our region of the subcontinent: What have been some recent major political developments in the Indian Subcontinent/South Asia:
1. Fall of Ashraf Ghani led Afghan government and the return of Taliban
2. Muizzu taking power in Maldives
3. Imran Khan being removed from power in Pakistan while Sharifs and Bhuttos(more like Zardaris) agreeing to share power under the overarching system of the military directorship(if not outright dictatorship, the military of Pak has learnt that its better to stay behind curtains and direct the throne). Let's not forget that it was Pak Military that had brought Imran Khan to power in the first place. The Pak Fauj giveth and the Pak Fauj taketh away
4. Sheikh Hasina leaving power amidst agitations/mob violence and Bangladesh Nationalist Party eyeing a return, with Bangladesh military support. The Bangladesh Military has definitely gained more political power than it was able to exercise in the last 14 years.
Stability of a state, its politics and the grasp on power of its rulers is NEVER GUARANTEED. There is constant struggle with internal elements and national threats.
All we can say is stability can be be very uncertain. Israel's sole goal in some ways has been to ensure a security architecture where its statehood does not come under serious threat. October 7 did not exactly threaten the statehood of Israel but it showed how easy it was to destroy the stability and order that Israel had created. After 1973 this was the single greatest event where Israel came under a surprise attack and over a 1400 Israelis died in 2 days. It was a shock to the body-mass of the state and society. And led to the current conflict in Gaza where Israel is trying to bring back the Israelis taken hostage and destroy Hamas as a military force. Many however disagree with extent of correctness of the earlier statement as Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, is in a tough spot and the events of October 7 showed that the security that he guaranteed had failed and the corruption charges are in cold freezer as long as he remains prime minister. Many of the hostage's families have also sought a change in the approach of the Israeli government
What are the key issues in the Israel-Palestine Conflict that render any significant peace move impossible without compromises?