The war in West Asia is escalating. The recent turn of events has the potential to draw more countries into it and create a situation so combustible that it may impact the entire world. On Tuesday, Israeli rockets fired into Lebanese capital Beirut killed Fouad Shukur, a top commander of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. This was followed by the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran. Though no one has claimed responsibility for the Hamas leader’s killing, the Iranian and Hamas leaders have blamed Israel for it.
The US has been quick to reject accusations of their involvement in Haniyeh’s killing. Nonetheless, the Hamas and Hezbollah leaders’ assassinations have led to threats of retaliation and apprehensions about the spread of the conflict with a new front opening on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, the Houthis intensifying attacks in the Red Sea, and Iran, Iraq and Syria joining the war.
It is time for the world community to redouble its efforts to calm tempers in West Asia and prevent a full-scale war. The Israel-Palestine conflict has already led to a loss of over 40,000 lives. Further escalation will not only be dangerous for regional stability for generations, but also lead to a bigger humanitarian crisis than there already is. The international community must respond quickly and decisively to this emerging threat.
More multi-pronged diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict should have started long back. The US, Israel’s closest ally and largest military supplier, should engage with Russia and China, which enjoy good relations with Iran, to prevent a larger war.
The core of the conflict—the Palestine issue—has been simmering for far too long. It has been clear for decades it needs to be resolved for moving towards lasting peace in the region. But the immediate need is to prevent the spread of war. The Houthi blockade of the Red Sea has already had a huge impact on trade and inflation.
A full-scale war will further disrupt supply chains and energy supplies, leading to dire economic consequences. The world simply cannot afford a prolonged regional conflict. Despite their sharp differences on Ukraine, the US and Russia must use their leverage in Asia to bring peace to the region.