Fragile Middle East peace demands resources
Palestinians evacuate a school that had been their shelter, in eastern Deir al-Balah, Gaza. Picture: Abdel Kareem Hana
As the death toll in Gaza exceeds 40,000 and an Irish Unifil convoy in southern Lebanon has a narrow escape, diplomatic efforts are being made to prevent the war in Gaza spreading in the region. A low intensity regional conflict of sorts is already underway. Since October 8, Hezbollah has been firing rockets and artillery shells at northern Israel and at Israeli occupied Golan. In April, Iran launched an effectively preannounced attack, with 300 rockets, ballistic missiles and drones against Israel. Houti rebels in Yemen have bombed Tel Aviv.
Israel has responded with airstrikes against targets in Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Yemen. Parts of the West Bank are in a state of semi insurrection against Israeli occupation, with over 550 Palestinians reported killed, since October 7 last, in IDF air strikes or clashes with protestors. In the past few days armed Israeli settlers have overrun a Palestinian village and killed at least one resident.
