Israel is surviving under the siege of a ‘strategic scare’ and ‘existential quandary’ encircled by arch-rivals.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip has been sustained for decades in the Sinai Peninsula. On the Palestine side, Fatah, the political group in command of the West Bank and Hamas, the militant group in charge of the Gaza Strip, confront the State of Israel. On saturday 7th October, the Hamas militant group stormed into nearby Israeli townships and unleashed a blitzkrieg attack. The lethal ambush on Israel is named “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” in the defence of the Al Aqsa Mosque from Jewish desecration. A barrage of rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip at civilian areas and military installations in Israel. In addition, Hamas militants with weapons entered southern Israel through land, sea and air using para-gliders.
Mohammed Deif, Hamas Commander, stated, “Enough is Enough. This is the greatest battle to end the last occupation and apartheid.” Israel has declared a “state of readiness”, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We will retaliate in such a magnitude that the enemy has not known, and they will pay an unprecedented price. We are at war, and we will win it.” Until now, more than 700 Israelis and Palestinians have been reported to be killed. Apparently, it is the colossal intelligence failure of Israel’s agencies like ‘Shin Bet’ and ‘Mossad’, which is known for eminence.
Why is Gaza important!
Gaza is a 365 sq. km tiny strip of land, 25 miles long and 7 miles wide, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the east, Egypt to the South and Israel in the West. Historically, Gaza is an important geo-strategic area for Arabs and Israel. During the second Arab-Israel War in 1967, Israel occupied Gaza and imposed military rule. Israelis believe that a political solution is not feasible, and it is called “Mowing the Lawn.” In the West Bank, around 60 per cent is controlled by Israeli defence forces. Nevertheless, they refuse to annex as it would entail them providing Israeli citizenship to 3.1 million Palestinians. Hence, Gaza is referred to as the world’s biggest open-air prison.
Hamas Military Commander Mohammed Deif Announces the Launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Deluge, Calls on Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Israel Proper to Carry Out Attacks Using Guns, Knives, Vehicles #IsraelUnderAttack #Hamas #Israel #terrorism pic.twitter.com/s8olfH6fea
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) October 8, 2023
Geopolitics in the Gaza Strip
Israel is using the ‘siege’ geopolitical measure to isolate a specific populace from the broader global community, intending to effectuate political transformation. In a comprehensive way, using economic sanctions, movement blockades, infringement of civil liberties, and curtailment of goods and services, Israel predominantly implements its geopolitical goals. The act of siege is a fluid and constantly evolving phenomenon, fluctuating in intensity and methodology over time, adapting to and influencing the diverse micro-geographical circumstances that arise. For instance, the ‘Rafah crossing point’ in the Egypt-Gaza border is the only exit point in the blockade-ridden Gaza under Israel’s security and surveillance. Apart from these, geo-strategically, Israel secures Gaza’s maritime borders and ports in a subtle way to control the populace.
Another geopolitical perspective of Israel based on economic interest is to establish assertive control in the Gaza Strip:
- The land is ideal for growing crops like citrus fruits, olives, vegetables and dairy production.
- The region possesses rich deposits of water, other than river Jordan and mountain aquifers. Already, water stress is proliferating in some areas of the country.
- A more substantial Israeli presence in Gaza would imperil the plan of sharing Jerusalem as the capital of the two states.
Such a move will increase Israel’s ‘geo-strategic depth’ and blow to the Palestinian movement.
Two-State Solution
Israel wants Palestinian movements to end permanently. The Palestine demands to halt the Israeli occupation and military presence in the Palestinian territory. From Israel’s point of view, West and East Jerusalem are an integral part of Israel. Still, for the Palestinian and International Community, East Jerusalem is the future capital of the Palestinian state. Even now, Palestinians living in East Jerusalem don’t have Israeli citizenship and their life is complicated. On International platforms, Israel agrees to the Two-State solution, but Israel actually amass settlements for Jewish people. Interestingly, Israeli leaders argue that there are no legitimate partners for peace in Palestine to resolve the conflict. It seems evident that Israel will not compromise on building Israeli settlements and the question of the Jerusalem issue. The road to peace and panacea is uncertain unless a comprehensive peace dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians incorporates the international actors.
