Synopsis
The article published in the editorial section of the Hindu newspaper talks about the heated situation in West Asia due to the recent attacks on leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas due to which there is a possibility of a counterattack on Israel by Iran since Iran is a strong ally of Lebanon, which could lead to a war in the west Asia.
Background Information
What is Hezbollah?
Hezbollah is a Shiite militant group and political party based in Lebanon, established in the early 1980s as a response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Its ideology is a Shiite Islamist organization aiming to establish an Islamic state in Lebanon, aligned with Iran’s revolutionary ideals and receiving substantial support from Iran and Syria. Hezbollah has a well-armed militia and has been involved in numerous conflicts with Israel, engaging in guerrilla warfare and attacking Israeli forces and civilians.
It holds seats in the Lebanese Parliament and has a strong influence on Lebanese politics and society. Hezbollah provides various social services in Lebanon, including healthcare, education, and social welfare, particularly in Shiite-majority areas. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries due to its militant activities and attacks on civilians. Hezbollah plays a significant role in regional conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War, and is involved in proxy conflicts influenced by its alliances with Iran and Syria.
What is Hamas?
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist organization founded in 1987 during the First Intifada against Israeli rule. It is rooted in Sunni Islamic fundamentalism and aims to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. Hamas operates as a political party and has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. It competes with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and has a military wing known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas provides social services, including healthcare, education, and welfare, particularly in Gaza, which has gained substantial support among Palestinians.
Internationally, Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Israel, and the European Union, due to its militant activities and attacks on civilians. Hamas is a key player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly in Gaza, due to its violent confrontations with Israel and political rivalry with the Fatah party. In summary, Hamas is a multifaceted organization involved in political governance, militant actions, and social services, playing a central role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Article Explanation
The killings of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, in Beirut, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, in Tehran on July 30 have raised tensions in West Asia. Israel has claimed the strike on Beirut that killed Shukr but has neither confirmed nor denied its role in the assassination of Haniyeh, a standard approach about its operations inside Iran. Israel’s northern border with Lebanon has remained tense since the Gaza war broke out last year, with Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces exchanging fire. After Shukr’s death, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said Israel had breached a red line, and the group has launched dozens of rockets over the past week, heightening tensions.
A bigger risk is the expected Iranian retaliation against Israel. Israel’s unchecked militarism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could turn out to be counterproductive for Israel in the long run. The killing of Haniyeh comes at a time when both Israel and Hamas were making progress in talks for a hostage-ceasefire deal. By taking him out, Mr. Netanyahu is telling the world that he wants the war to continue.
If a direct war breaks out between Israel and Iran, the U.S. could be dragged into it, which is what Israel wants. The Biden administration avoided such a disastrous outcome in April by reining in Israel after Iran’s retaliation. However, Israel continues to launch another provocative attack against Iran, taking the region back to the brink again. As West Asia braces for Iran’s retaliation, the U.S. and its allies should work together to ensure that the impact of its response on Israel would be minimal and put in place new rules of the game for Israel so it does not threaten regional security again.
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