By Sumaira Manzoor
Israel-Palestine conflict remains one of the most important crisis of the present time.
There are three major integrated events and causes that triggered the recent escalation of the confict.
First, the Israel government on 13th April closed the Damascus gate using barrier, so that entries of people of Gaza could be blocked. As a result anger arose among the ordinary local residents. They recorded protest inside and outside of Jerusalem. Because of this pressure, Israeli government opened the door for people and allowed entries from outside Jerusalem.
The second major reason behind this conflict is legal in nature. When East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in 2019, local residents were gradually evicted from their homes. Case was filed in Supreme Court in the continuation of this annexation. By the verdict of Supreme Court four families were to evict from Palestine and after that thousands of people have to follow the same pattern. So that’s why protest was started by Palestinian during the holy month of Ramadan.
Third reason is the brutal use of force by Israeli forces against the protestors. Israeli forces and ultra nationalist and hard liner extremist Jews started violence against Palestinian. Israeli forces used tear gases and arrested peaceful protestors. As a result “Hamas” which is the dominant group in Gaza strip, they warned and gave ultimatum to Israel to release already arrested Palestinian and stop eviction and violence, but Israel refused. Consequently, Hamas fired rockets on Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that it will retaliate against Hamas.
Main factors behind Israeli attacks:
Some analyst stated that one of the main reason behind this conflict was the legitimacy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which was questioned. So he wanted to divert the attention and new front was opened. We all know about the recent political crisis of Israel i.e. no political party gained clear majority to form the government despite series of elections. In order to deviate the global attention, and as well as to gain support from ultranationalist and extremist jews, Netanyahu gave a disproportionate response.
Second foremost reason behind this escalation was the “timing of eviction “of four Palestinian families i.e. the holy month of Ramadan and blissful night of 27th Ramadan –most significant for entire Muslim Umah. The violence was started against the praying Muslim in Al-Aqsa mosque. Despite having differences all the governments and people of Muslim countries undergone particular rituals during the holy month of Ramadan. If we compare it with the first trigger it can be said that it seems intentional. Prime minister wanted to provoke the protestors to deviate the attention of masses.
Third factor is, Israeli believes that they can show more aggression towards Palestinian, particularly after its normalization with Arab world (Abraham Accord). Israel are of the view that they are not isolated anymore, so they will not get any pressure from Arab world. This calculation is the main reason behind the harsh behavior of Israel, whose rocket attacks have caused more than 200 deaths in the Gaza Strip.
In May 2021, ceasefire agreement was signed between Hamas and Israel with the mediation of United States and Egypt. Despite this agreement till now, Israel is continually perusing its own annexation policies. Use of force was observed against Palestinians in Al-Aqsa Mosque. The process of eviction of the families (because of them all conflict was started) still continues. So we can say that fundamental of conflict remains. The cyclic nature of Israel-Hamas conflict can only be resolved with the solution of its root causes.
Author: Sumaira Manzoor – M.phil Scholar ( Political Science) Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or views of World Geostrategic Insights).