Anil Trigunayat
Most observers felt that perhaps the only positive outcome of the ongoing war would be a real sincere effort to achieve the ‘two state solution’, but the consistent denial by Netanyahu to even consider it and the US vetoing the Palestine state’s recognition at the UNSC last week don’t augur well for this prospect in the near future.
This war between Israel and Hamas has gone on for an unprecedented more than 200 days, with exceptional destruction on both sides. The declared objectives of both sides have not been achieved. While it has broken various myths and presumptions, it has established that a war between a state and a non-state actor may be an ongoing tirade, but its outcome is totally unpredictable. Even though decimated, the Hamas leadership continues to remain in the fray, denying outright victory to beleaguered Netanyahu, who is on the verge of losing their sole supporter and protector—the US.
President Joe Biden, facing an uphill election, is losing credibility abroad and at home for his Jekyll and Hyde approach. Their frustration with Netanyahu was more than evident when they outlined certain red lines, seeing the terrible humanitarian disaster in the plight of Gazans and Palestinians. Its misadventure of attacking the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which had the potential to expand the disastrous war beyond Gaza, did not amuse them either.
Although the Iran-Israel showdown was managed, given the US commitment to the security of Israel, aid and arms continue to be provided, thereby letting the war go on. The Houthis are threatening to take the ‘Ships war‘ to the Mediterranean. They have already hit 107 ships since November, adversely impacting maritime traffic.
Amb. Anil Trigunayat is a member of the Indian Foreign Service. He is a post Graduate in Physics from the Agra/Kumaon University and also studied Russian History, Culture and Language at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
The article was first published in FirstPost as Israel-Hamas war: Despite Cairo talks, no end to conflict in sight yet on 6 May, 2024.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Christeena Sabu, a research intern at IMPRI.
