The dramatic and swift fall of President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria has all but delinked Iran from its proxy, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, since Syria was Iran's conduit to Hezbollah. The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon has all but delinked Hezbollah, weakened both militarily and politically in Lebanon, from a besieged war-ravaged Gaza. Iran's wings have been severely clipped and the so-called axis of resistance is disintegrating. The regional power equations have been redrawn. Hamas is on its last legs in Gaza.
With prospects for a Gaza ceasefire brightening, what Israel plans to do with its reassertion of regional dominance is crucial to the future of West Asia's peace and security. While their focus will now turn to effect regime change in Iran and how Gaza can be "secured" for Israel, Israeli activities in the occupied West Bank will be the litmus test for what is in store for the future of West Asia.
West Bank is the prize that Israel wants. Dominating Gaza is necessary to make sure that it stops being a launchpad to threaten Israeli security. But West Bank annexation is necessary to complete the dream of Eretz Israel. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-right political partner in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, has already declared 2025 as the year of Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria - the biblical name for West Bank, after ancient Israeli kingdoms.
Israel wants to annex it, in effect annexing occupied territory and erasing the 1967 borders. We have already seen that the "New Middle East" map presented to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) by Netanyahu had no West Bank or Gaza. What was earlier Hamas's slogan - from the river to the sea - has now become Israel's rallying cry.
This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Pune.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times Pune.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Battery swapping policy for EVs on backburner
A federal policy to encourage battery swapping for electric vehicles may go on the backburner, two people aware of the matter said, in the backdrop of industry fears that forcing common standards is not practical and will hurt innovation.
6 More Held Over Assam Miners' Deaths, Ops Go On
Assam police on Sunday arrested six more people from Dima Hasao district in connection with the death of four miners at the rat-hole coal mine which was flooded on January 6, trapping at least nine.
Explosion at Kumbh guts several tents, no casualties
Over 100 tents were gutted in a major fire in Sector 19 of the sprawling 4000 ha tent city at the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Sunday afternoon but no casualties were reported in the case, officials said.
Trump 2.0: Prospects of global disruption
The world is watching nervously as the new President begins his second innings in Washington
Neeraj Chopra ties the knot with tennis player Himani Mor
India's double Olympic medallist and 2023 world champion Neeraj Chopra has tied the knot with Himani Mor in a private ceremony.
In Mann Ki Baat, Modi praises makers of 'sacred' Constitution
Highlights from address
Shooting band kara di gayi hai: FWICE chief on the ceiling collapse of Arjun-Jackky film set
On Saturday, several people were injured at the shoot of Mere Husband Ki Biwi in Mumbai, after the ceiling of the set collapsed.
Djokovic-Alcaraz Blockbuster Next
Serbia's record 10-time winner faces the young Spaniard who bids to complete a career Grand Slam in the quarter-finals
Policing personal freedoms, courtesy social sensibilities
What does it mean to live in the world's largest democracy if consenting adults must still justify their private choices?
Domestic composite materials industry to hit $2.8 bn by 2030
THE INDIAN COMPOSITE MATERIALS MARKET IS ESTIMATED AT $1.8 BILLION IN 2024, FRP INSTITUTE REPORT SAID
