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Opinion | Flames of Israel-Hamas war could engulf the region and beyond
- Whatever the motivating factors behind Hamas’ surprise attack, Israel is now under pressure to respond with full force
- As hostilities escalate and casualties rise, supporters on both sides will be drawn in, willingly or not
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The devastating surprise attacks by Hamas in southern Israel mark a transformative moment not just for the Israeli-Palestinian rivalry but between Israel and Hamas’ sponsors, primarily Iran and Hezbollah, that could potentially result in a broader regional war.
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As Israel regains control of its territory, it has announced over 900 deaths so far, more than 2,000 injured and at least 100 abducted. Palestinians have claimed over 650 deaths and more than 3,700 injured. In preparation for an offensive, Israel declared a complete siege of Gaza by cutting off all supplies.
Furthermore, Israel has called up 300,000 reservists, the largest mobilisation in its history. Markets have seen a spike in oil prices due to fears of a wider regional war.
Detractors of US President Joe Biden charge that his outreach to Iran, including the pursuit of nuclear talks and the recent US-Iran prisoner exchange, has emboldened the rogue regime to further pursue its nefarious regional agenda without fear of retribution, which resulted in the October 7 attacks.
Critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintain that the carnage was the culmination of the neglect of the issue of Palestinian national sovereignty over the years.
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Various motivating factors, both internal and external, lie behind Hamas’s attacks and Israel’s failure to prevent them.
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