By Sajikumar
The Israeli invasion of Gaza and liquidation of Hamas is imminent. Thousands may die, and the world will silently witness the innocents dying. We may also see the Third World War and global economic crisis if none gets into the scenario for a quick solution.
It is disheartening to witness how those who claim to work towards peace often engage in war. Democratically elected governments sometimes resort to war, raising questions about the true meaning of humanism. Their frequent change in tone and lack of politeness, despite holding positions of responsibility, is concerning. They seem to overlook the fact that their decisions can have far-reaching consequences, affecting the lives of many and leaving some without shelter. It is even more distressing when their countrymen become victims of their acts, and yet they declare war on the very people they are meant to protect. They justify these actions by claiming to fight for peace.
In the past, there have been emperors like Napoleon who were always ready for war, declaring conflicts without just cause. War seemed to be their way of survival, an essential part of their existence. These stories serve as reminders of leaders who prioritized war over peace.
War is not fought by the people; it is fought in the name of the people. Only a few hidden minds are responsible for creating wars. It is not a simple occurrence; it requires extensive planning and preparation. Today, it is not just one side that is responsible for war, both sides bear equal responsibility. Economic interests often drive wars, as they help maintain power and wealth. However, leaders present different reasons to the citizens, rallying support for the war, without disclosing the true motives behind it.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel highlights the meticulous planning that goes into initiating a war. Hamas must have been preparing for years, with their reasons to attack Israel. On the other hand, Israel, located amidst enemies, was undoubtedly prepared to protect its land and retaliate. Many of Israel’s adversaries may have been waiting for an opportunity. Both sides were prepared in advance, as evidenced by the impact of the attacks.
When Hamas began attacking Israel, Syria and Lebanon’s Hezbollah showed solidarity by tightening their defences. There must have been a united plan to attack Israel, but the war will continue for a prolonged period, causing the world to be divided. Currently, Israel has more economic and humanitarian support, as Hamas initiated the conflict.
Modern weapons kill more people in one strike. In the past, it may have taken months to reach the current death count of more than 7000 on one side. Today, high-tech weapons can kill thousands in a single day. Israel wants to set Gaza free from Hamas, which would allow them to take over the land without its people. Civilians in Gaza have no access to essential services. Unfortunately, none has any sympathy for them. Only the European Union urged Netanyahu to restore the supply of essentials and medicines, which reached the enclave after many days. Gaza is through intense fighting, as Israel started a land assault promising that Hamas would become history. The welfare of their people seems to be of little concern. War brings hazards to the entire world. Israel, being closer to the war zone, will carry more severe brunt than Hamas. Will Israelis endure the consequences even though Israeli victory may mean liquidation of Hamas?
This new situation in the Mediterranean area will likely bring satisfaction to Putin, as global attention shifts away from Ukraine and towards Israel. This allows him to pursue his interests without as much scrutiny. Additionally, right-leaning factions may align themselves with Russia in this situation, providing support even from their adversaries. It brings further satisfaction to Putin.
As the United States stands with Israel, Arabs believe China will stand with Palestinians. That may worsen the situation. The well-known scenario of “Samaria” requires America to choose one side. But who would lead peace talks? If no one takes the lead, the situation may gradually escalate into a world war. Smoke is rising. Islamic countries may get into the scenario if they forget the divide between Shia and Sunni. Now they remain silent as they have limited interest in Palestine, given their financial constraints.
The American involvement led to the Abraham Accords peace agreement, which united Semitic religions under the name of Abraham. Though there were some modifications over a period, the fundamentals remained the same. The agreement was reached through dialogue and negotiation. If any Islamic nation steps forward to protect Palestine, this agreement may crumble. That may trigger a countdown of World War. In the interconnected world we live in, war will eventually reach everyone’s doorstep in the form of an economic crisis. We must acknowledge that our fortunate times have come to an end. The countdown to another World War has begun.
(The writer is a Mumbai-based author and blogger. The views expressed are his own)
