Vantage | Why risks of Israel-Hamas war aren't in West Asia alone

As Israel’s offensive enters its 34th day, US finds itself increasingly drawn into the conflict. With over 40 reported attacks on US assets in recent weeks, Washington has responded with airstrikes on targets associated with Iran-backed militants in Syria.

Airstrikes in Syria On Wednesday night, the US executed an airstrike in eastern Syria, targeting a weapons warehouse used by Iran-backed militants. Two F-15 fighter jets were deployed resulting in the destruction of the warehouse and weapons. This marks a continuation of similar strikes carried out in the previous month. The primary objective of these attacks is to deter Iranian proxies preventing an all-out assault. While no major assaults have occurred, sporadic attacks persist. For instance, Houthi rebels near Yemen shot down a US drone, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by American assets. Urban warfare in Gaza As the offensive intensifies in Gaza, Israeli troops have reached the heart of Gaza City, where street-to-street fighting in close-range, urban settings poses significant challenges. Unverified footage released by Hamas depicts urban warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), underscoring the dangers involved. The IDF is targeting tunnels built by Hamas to launch surprise attacks, conducting ground attacks and airstrikes on key cities including Khan Younis and Gaza City. Even hospitals, such as Al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest, have not been spared. Forced displacement of Gazans Israel’s strategy includes driving civilians out of northern Gaza to facilitate its ground assault. Despite risks, hundreds of Gazans have fled southward. The UN refuses to aid this displacement citing the lack of a safe zone in the south. “They are moving because they understand that Hamas has lost control in the north, and that the south is safer. A safer area, where they receive medicine, water and food. They understand it’s an improvement,” said Israel’s military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are calling for a humanitarian pause. Macron emphasizes the need for a ceasefire to protect civilians. Diplomatic efforts are underway, with discussions surrounding a potential one-to-three-day ceasefire linked to the release of hostages by Hamas. “Today, the situation is grave and is getting worse each day. In the short term, we should work on protecting civilians, and to do so, we need a humanitarian pause very quickly and we have to strive for a ceasefire - this should become a possibility,” said French president Emmanuel Macron. Wider ramifications beyond West Asia Beyond the immediate conflict, recent events in Sao Paulo, Brazil, highlight the global ramifications. Brazilian officials have arrested two suspects allegedly linked to a Hezbollah cell, with Israel tipping them off about a plot to carry out terror attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets in Brazil. As the conflict persists, the global impact becomes increasingly evident. The urgency for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution is underscored not only by the immediate humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also by the potential spillover effects reaching far beyond West Asia. The interconnectedness of these events emphasizes the need for swift and comprehensive international intervention. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.