Israel-Gaza Conflict: Axis of Resistance (GS Paper 2, IR)
Context
- The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July 2024 has intensified scrutiny on the axis of resistance.
- Iran and Hamas attribute the attack to Israel, potentially escalating retaliatory actions and destabilizing the region further.
- This incident may involve increased conflicts with Hezbollah, PIJ, and the Houthis, affecting regional security and international relations.
Axis of Resistance
- The "axis of resistance" refers to an alliance of militant groups supported by Iran, aimed at countering Western and Israeli influence in the Middle East.
- This coalition includes Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and the Houthis.
- Each group has specific regional objectives but shares a common opposition to Western and Israeli power.
Major Groups
- Hezbollah: Formed in the 1980s in Lebanon, Hezbollah emerged in response to the Israeli invasion. It is heavily armed, with substantial support from Iran. The group's military capabilities and its strategic positioning in Lebanon make it a significant player in the axis of resistance. Hezbollah’s engagements with Israel include the 2006 Lebanon War and ongoing periodic conflicts.
- Hamas: Founded during the First Intifada, Hamas governs Gaza and seeks to establish an Islamic state. It receives significant support from Iran, including financial aid, military training, and weaponry. Hamas’s conflict with Israel has resulted in numerous military confrontations and severe humanitarian impacts in Gaza.
- Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): Established in 1979, PIJ aims to create an Islamic state in Palestine and is known for its militant activities against Israeli targets. It is a key player in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and contributes to the broader resistance against Israeli occupation.
- Houthis: The Houthis are a Zaydi Shia group involved in Yemen’s civil war. They seized control of Yemen's capital, Sana’a, in 2014 and have targeted international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Their alignment with the axis of resistance highlights the regional dimensions of the conflict.
Historical Background
Early 20th Century and British Mandate
- The Israel-Gaza conflict’s origins are deeply rooted in the early 20th century.
- After World War I, the Ottoman Empire's defeat led to the British Mandate over Palestine.
- This region, inhabited by a diverse population including Jews and Arabs, became a focal point of international interest.
- The Balfour Declaration of 1917, issued by British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, supported the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
- This declaration was formalized under the British Mandate and endorsed by the League of Nations in 1922.
- This promise fueled Jewish immigration, particularly from Europe, including those fleeing the Holocaust.
- The influx of Jewish immigrants intensified tensions with the Arab majority, who opposed the establishment of a Jewish state.
- Violence between Jewish and Arab communities, as well as against British rule, increased during this period.
The UN Partition Plan and the Creation of Israel
- In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city.
- Jewish leaders accepted this plan, but it was rejected by the Arab states.
- The UN plan aimed to address the conflicting national aspirations of Jews and Arabs but was never implemented due to opposition from the Arab side.
- The declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, marked the beginning of the first Arab-Israeli war.
- Five Arab nations—Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq—attacked Israel the day after its declaration.
- The war led to significant territorial changes: Israel expanded its borders beyond those proposed by the UN, and many Palestinians were displaced, an event known as Al Nakba ("the Catastrophe").
- The ceasefire that followed left Israel with control over most of the territory, while Jordan occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Egypt controlled Gaza.
The 1967 War and Occupation
- The 1967 Six-Day War was a pivotal conflict in the region.
- Israel, facing imminent threats from neighboring Arab countries, preemptively struck and occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula.
- The occupation of these territories intensified the conflict and created new geopolitical realities.
- In the aftermath of the war, Israel's control over the West Bank and Gaza, and its establishment of settlements in these areas, became major points of contention.
- The international community largely views these settlements as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this interpretation.
Gaza Strip Specifics
- The Gaza Strip, a narrow area bordered by Israel and Egypt, has been a focal point of the conflict.
- Under Egyptian control from 1948 until the 1967 war, Gaza was subsequently occupied by Israel.
- Although Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza in 2005, it maintains control over Gaza's airspace, borders, and maritime access.
- The UN views Gaza as occupied due to this ongoing control, and the region has been governed by Hamas since 2007.
Recent Developments
The Rise of Hamas
- Hamas, an Islamist militant group, emerged during the First Intifada in 1987.
- Its primary goal is to oppose Israeli rule and establish an Islamic state in Palestine.
- After winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, leading to a split with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank.
- Since then, Gaza has been a center of conflict between Hamas and Israel.
- Hamas's governance and its militant activities have led to frequent clashes and a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
- The group’s hostility towards Israel and its use of violence as a political tool have been major factors in the ongoing conflict.
Recent Escalations
- On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented large-scale attack on Israeli communities.
- This assault resulted in significant casualties and the taking of hostages.
- In response, Israel conducted extensive air and artillery strikes on Gaza, leading to high Palestinian casualties.
- This escalation has drawn widespread international criticism and highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Strategic Goals and Impact
- The axis of resistance represents a strategic alignment designed to challenge Western and Israeli influence.
- Iran’s support for these groups allows it to extend its geopolitical reach and engage in proxy conflicts.
- This coalition complicates regional stability and the efforts to resolve conflicts through diplomacy.
- The humanitarian crises resulting from their actions further exacerbate the situation.
International Reactions
Western Support for Israel
- The United States, a close ally of Israel, has provided extensive military and economic aid, including advanced weaponry and defense systems.
- The US has also deployed military assets to the region to deter potential escalations from other actors, particularly Hezbollah and other members of the axis of resistance.
Criticism and Alternative Stances
- While Western countries generally support Israel and condemn Hamas’s attacks, Russia and China maintain neutral stances, engaging with both sides.
- Iran’s support for Hamas and other militant groups adds complexity to international diplomacy, with accusations of Iran’s involvement in recent escalations.
- The international community remains divided on the approach to resolving the conflict and addressing the humanitarian impact.
Conclusion
- The Israel-Gaza conflict is a complex and deeply entrenched issue with historical roots and intricate regional dynamics.
- The involvement of the axis of resistance adds another layer of complexity, making resolution efforts more challenging.
- The ongoing violence and humanitarian crises underscore the urgent need for effective diplomacy and conflict resolution strategies to address long-standing issues and work towards a sustainable peace in the region.
