SSP Diaries | Intensifying of Israel/Palestine conflict

Since October 7, the world’s media houses have been preoccupied with the latest Israeli/Palestine conflict. Everyone has conveniently forgotten that the problem in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing for over 17 years. Of note, however, is the fact that Israel has suffered another unexpected blow and one which is described as the worst since events leading up to the Yom Kippur War some 50 years ago.

The Palestinians have claimed responsibility for the recent attack which has claimed the lives of hundreds of Israelis and there is an undetermined number that has been taken hostage by their fighting arm, Hamas. What did Israel expect?

INHUMANE TREATMENT

The Palestinians have been subjected to the most inhumane treatment imaginable for decades, living basically in ‘open prisons’, movements severely restricted, abused with impunity, homes and other property destroyed at will, the object of a modern-day apartheid system, condoned by the US, UK and others.

This is but a very narrow view of the Palestinian reality under Israeli occupation and rule in the Gaza Strip, yet there has been no useful condemnation of these acts by most Western governments or media houses. Instead, the Palestinians are described as terrorists! Who has been terrorising who?

To maintain the status quo in the Middle East the US has made clear its unwavering support in munitions and the deployment of a naval fleet to be positioned off Israel’s shores in support of that country’s fight against Hamas. The Palestinians have never had such support, from the US, for any of the numerous acts of aggression endured at the hands of Israel.

There has been no consistent effort made by the self-proclaimed world’s police force to bring any of the parties in conflict to the negotiating table to chart the way forward to a lasting peace. The persistent cry has been that Israel has a right to defend itself, but that right cannot be claimed by Israel alone. The Palestinians have a right to exist as much as the Israelis and, therefore, a right to defend themselves. The blow dealt by Hamas on October 7 clearly demonstrates that Palestine is now prepared to carry the fight for their existence to the Israelis. It signals that this ongoing conflict will no longer be a one-sided event. It offers opportunities for Hezbollah (Iran) to become fully embroiled in support of Hamas and could prove a trying period for US Forces that are extremely stretched when one considers their global conflict involvement footprint. Enough of this trend of thought for the moment.

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

There are several unanswered questions. How did Israel that has one of the best intelligence services not pick up the planning of this event? Could it be that they knew but allowed it to materialise? This is possible. The present declaration by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of war on Hamas provides a distraction from his domestic woes, which have been mounting to dangerous proportions in recent times.

The declaration of war against a ‘common enemy’ has served to unite politicians and ordinary citizens alike. If successfully fought, at the end of the day his political clout could increase enormously, allowing him to rid himself of some crucial burdens, the problems with the judiciary, for example, come to mind. Let us not be blind-sided here. The close relationships enjoyed by the intelligence services of the US, UK and Israel makes it nigh impossible for ‘no-one’ to have had any idea of such a massive operation being planned.

On the other hand, what could have driven Palestine to act more decisively than it has in the past? Mounting frustration. Yes. I also suggest it could be a bit more. The recent move by the Arab powerhouse, Saudi Arabia, to establish closer diplomatic ties and friendships with Israel might have been perceived, by the Palestinians, as the Arab world joining forces with the Jews and further threatening their existence.

The Arabs becoming more friendly with the Jews can also seen as an increased threat to the existence of Iran. Saudi Arabia intends to become a powerhouse in the Middle East and is not likely to be ‘controlled’ by anyone, as the US has attempted to do with other states. This could prove problematic for the Western world. More on this anon. The action by Hamas might be calculated to let the world know that they are not pleased with the possibilities that could arise from relationships being forged.

This conflict will not end soon. It has the potential to spin out of control and become even more devastating than what is currently happening in the Ukraine/Russia conflict. As in that case, there are no genuine attempts on the part of those benefiting to bring the protagonists to the negotiating table to end the humanitarian disaster. The situation will be no different in this case as the same set of players are in support. Who then is the real problem?

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