An emergency meeting of the Arab League was held in Cairo a few days ago to talk about Israel’s decision to stop UNRWA from doing its job in the seized Palestinian areas. The meeting is being led by Yemen and is made up of permanent members because Jordan asked for it. MENA, Egypt’s state news service, said that many Arab countries are in favor of it. The main goal of the meeting is to come up with a coordinated Arab reaction to the “dangerous and illegal laws” that were passed by the Knesset, which is Israel’s government, that stop UNRWA from working in the occupied areas, such as East Jerusalem.
Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and holding 251 others hostage. In response, the Israeli military began a terrible attack on Gaza that has killed over 41,500 people, hurt 96,000, and forced about 1.9 million to leave their homes. Since then, there has been a lot more violence in the West Bank, Lebanon, and other places in the area. The Israel-Palestine conflict, characterized by profound geographical, political, and ideological disparities, saw a resurgence of severity beginning on October 7, 2023, due to a sequence of escalations that rekindled bloodshed throughout the area. The conflict, entrenched in ancient disagreements around land, identity, and sovereignty, garnered renewed worldwide attention when violence erupted amidst increased geopolitical difficulties.
The one-year of the war provides a chance to contemplate the escalation of hostilities, the regional and international responses, and the changing dynamics of war in the Middle East. An analysis of significant events over the last year facilitates a clearer comprehension of the present situation and potential future trajectories, while also assessing the efficacy of peace initiatives and humanitarian responses in light of escalating demands for resolution from the international community.
Oct- Dec 2023
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in a notable escalation and extensive warfare. Israel executed a robust military response, included airstrikes on Gaza, leading to civilian fatalities and infrastructural damage.
October 2023: In reaction to the escalation, hundreds of civilians in the impacted regions evacuated, both in Israel and Gaza. The UN and many humanitarian groups requested access to supplies and discussions for a ceasefire, while adjacent nations voiced apprehension over possible spillover consequences.
November 2023: In spite of appeals for tranquillity, airstrikes and rocket assaults persisted, resulting in a substantial rise in casualties. Protests and demonstrations supporting both factions have arisen globally, underscoring the international split about the topic.
January – March
In January 2024, hostilities persisted as Israel declared enhanced military operations targeting the dismantlement of Hamas’ activities. The international community intensified appeals for mediation, with the UN, United States, and European Union pressing both parties to de-escalate tensions.
In February 2024, the Arab League convened an emergency conference in Cairo, advocating for regional action and the establishment of a truce. Nonetheless, minimal advancement occurred owing to enduring disputes among member nations.
In March 2024, a truce arrangement facilitated by Egypt briefly diminished hostilities; nonetheless, both parties alleged breaches by one another. This signified a tenuous respite, yet latent tensions persisted unresolved.
April – June 2024
In April 2024, the humanitarian crisis intensified as both Gaza and impacted Israeli regions experienced shortages of medical supplies, water, and energy. Civilian displacement to unparalleled levels, with international assistance agencies encountering difficulties in accessing impacted areas.
In May 2024, the UN General Assembly convened a special session, culminating in a resolution that condemned the targeting of civilians and called for enhanced compliance with humanitarian rules. Although several nations endorsed this resolution, considerable opposition emerged, highlighting the geopolitical rift about the crisis.
In June 2024, worldwide protests intensified, demanding more robust measures to address human rights breaches. This time seen heightened agitation for foreign involvement, however attempts were impeded by political intricacies inside the UN Security Council.
July – September
In July 2024, skirmishes transpired near Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, including Hezbollah, an organization allied with Hamas, in many engagements with Israeli soldiers. These occurrences heightened apprehensions of an extensive regional confrontation encompassing Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.
In August 2024, heightened diplomatic engagement occurred, led by the United States and European Union in efforts to reinstate peace negotiations. Global public opinion remained polarized, with substantial support for peace in both the Middle East and the Western world.
September 2024: The fighting reemerged in Gaza’s metropolitan areas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Ongoing hostilities prompted renewed debates on UN sanctions and heightened worldwide media scrutiny, exerting pressure on both parties for a more enduring truce.
Changing Alliances
Over the past year, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has caused big changes in foreign relationships and ties in the Middle East and beyond. Israel’s relationships with its neighbors have changed over time, with Saudi Arabia and Iran playing key parts. As part of a larger plan to counter Iranian influence, Saudi Arabia has tried to improve relations with Israel. However, the recent conflict has made these efforts more difficult, as Saudi leaders have spoken out in support of Palestinian rights. This shows how difficult it is to balance regional diplomacy with domestic pressures.
Egypt has been a peace broker in the conflict for a long time, but it has been tense as it deals with the large number of refugees and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Cairo’s situation is getting more difficult as it tries to deal with both Hamas and Israel. This shows how complicated Cairo’s role is in Middle Eastern politics.
On an international level, the conflict has made world leaders respond. The United States has always been a strong friend of Israel, but there have been calls from both inside and outside the country to rethink its support, especially as calls for Palestinians’ emergency aid have grown. In response, diplomats have had to find a balance between giving military help and supporting peace efforts.
On the other hand, Russia and China have taken advantage of the chance to improve ties with Middle Eastern countries, showing that they are not controlled by the United States. Russia has built relationships with Iran and Syria in order to act as a mediator. China, on the other hand, has grown its economic ties by focusing on trade and investment in a region that is becoming more wary of Western domination.
Thoughts on a Year of Violence
Thousands of people have died, neighbourhoods have been destroyed, and the humanitarian situation keeps getting worse because of the fighting between Israel and Palestine over the past year. The damage done to people, especially children, shows how urgently the international community needs to work together to stop this. This war not only affects the area around it, but it also has effects on global security that go far beyond that. This shows how interconnected international relations are. As we think back on this rough year, we need to recommit ourselves to peace and diplomacy. We need to encourage conversation and understanding to make the future safer and more peaceful for everyone. No matter how hard it is to get to a settlement, peace measures must continue for the sake of the region’s and the world’s health.
Dr. Alisha Verma is an Assistant Professor Law at Symbiosis Law School, Pune.