Gaza -The beginning or the end?

It is a Palestinian enclave of 365 square kilometres. It has been besieged for the past sixteen years. This enclave is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. With one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, its 2.4 million inhabitants needed special permission to cross into Egypt or Israel. This was the Gaza Strip before 7 October. After ten days of heavy bombardment by Israel, its intense density has turned into mild sparsity mainly due to the enlargement of graveyards.

Far from the madding crowd, various government representatives are expressing 'grave concern' over the 'alarming situation' arising out of the world's only 'open-air prison'. On the margins, the discussion is focused mainly on five points. What are the ways and means to restrict the war only to the specified areas? When should we intervene to put an end to this episode? What if Hezbollah also joins hands with Hamas from Lebanon with its full might? How should we convince the Palestinians to use the tunnel for a massive exodus? How about extending the deadline to leave Gaza? Once Gaza is renamed as the 'Tent City', how much funds would be required for the UNHCR? The nearby tables are inviting everyone for a hot cup of coffee. Thousands of miles away, Imam-e-Ka'ba is offering prayers for the brave Palestinians!

'We are at war, not an operation, not rounds but at war' PM Benjamin Netanyahu declared soon after Hamas launched one of the deadliest attacks on Israel on 7 October. Later, his Defence Minister ordered a 'total siege' on Gaza while his Army Chief expressed the Israeli Armed Forces' complete readiness for a long-drawn war against Hamas. This time, it was not Israel but someone else who drew the first blood. Somehow, both the attacker and the attacked looked fully prepared.

Amid an effort to finally decimate those who have 'no right to exist', the world may get ready to count the two-way losses till the time the powerful presses for a ceasefire. Looking at the pattern, one of the two scenarios might force the international community to put an end to the ongoing war. Either Israel completes the circle of its 'satisfaction' over this 'unprovoked terrorist attack' and in the process, tries to crush the noisy 'grasshoppers' permanently or the hapless Palestinians, somehow, gain a clear edge in the war miraculously.

Those who wanted to see Israel out of 'isolation' may forget about the deal being brokered by the US. Being the leading proponent of the...