By Mudassar Ali Iqbal
The Middle East continues to plunge into chaos as Iran on Tuesday night lobbed missiles in Israel in retaliation of Tel Aviv’s recent acts of killing Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran confirmed that it directly attacked Israel’s several targets on Oct 1 with more than 200 missiles.
“The attack was a response to the Israeli atrocities against the people of Gaza, Lebanon and Israel’s recent attacks which killed Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon,” claimed the IRGC spokesperson.
Although no deaths were reported, two Israeli civilians got injured in the attack. Meanwhile, some deaths of Israelis were reported when armed men opened fire in Israeli territories soon after the Iranian attack.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLAGRATES
As the confrontation between Israel (backed by western heavyweights) and some Muslim countries escalates, the regional peace is at stake. Despite pressure of the international community, Israel’s Zionist aims seem far from over.
Analysts say its ‘expansionist ideology’ has put the region at stake and an all-out war is imminent.
The Middle East is already alight with the missiles and airstrikes of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on innocent civilians. The history of Israeli brutalities spans more than seven decades. The current spate of atrocities began in October 2023 when Hamas, a resistance group, allegedly attacked Israel and killed almost 1,200 Israeli civilians and held up 250 people.
After the attack Israel responded with full force and ferocity and killed innocent civilians – men, women and children – in Palestine. It used missiles, cluster bombs, phosphorus bombs, airstrikes, and ground operations against Palestinians.
It even attacked hospitals, schools, asylums and makeshift shelters besides committing horrendous acts of war crime. Israel did this in the name of “self-defence” against Hamas.
Israel has killed almost 42,000 civilians, 30,000 children and women among them, in cold blood.
ICJ RESPONSE TO BLOODSHED
Israel’s unrelenting pursuit of its objectives at the cost of lives of innocent Palestinians drew condemnation far and wide.
An International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling declared Israel’s attack on Palestinian a ‘genocide’ and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a ‘war criminal’.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) later issued warrants for Netanyahu’s arrest but it could not be materialised, thanks to the “ironclad support” of the United States for Israel.
IRAN STRIKES BACK
The recent Iranian attack shows that Israel and its western allies have brought the region to the verge of chaos. The US and other western powers are supporting Israel – morally, financially and militarily.
Recently, Israel received a package of $8 billion from the US as a support for its war efforts.
The Middle East crisis has laid bare the hollowness of the current international system. The United Nations (UN), which is meant for ensuring peace and stability in the world, largely fails to do so beyond paying lip-service.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the most powerful organ, has been unable to pass even a single resolution for ceasefire due to its outmoded veto set-up of Permanent Five (P-5) - member countries who have the right to veto any resolution in the UNSC about any world conflict.
THE MUSLIM WORLD
In this scenario the main victims are Muslim populations in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. There are 56 Islamic countries, having two billion Muslims, but sadly most of them are mere spectators.
Since the beginning of the conflict the Muslim world leaders have failed to act against Israel’s atrocities. There has been no concrete action beyond condemnations. The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) too failed to make its presence felt. Iran is the only country who resisted the ‘expansionist designs’ of Israel and eventually paid the aggressor back in the same coin.
WHAT’S IN STORE?
The Iranian retaliatory attack of Oct 1 will have far-reaching impacts on the region. Most countries who maintained pin-drop silence on genocide of Palestinians, have now condemned the Iranian attack on Israel.
This shows hypocrisy of the world, especially the western powers who are self-acclaimed leaders of human rights.
The Israeli prime minister and officials, along with US leaders, have threatened Iran with revenge by calling the missile attack a ‘mistake’.
“Iran will have to pay its price,” the Israeli PM said.
“The United States is fully supporting Israel after the missile attack, the response to Iran is an active discussion now,” US President Joe Biden said.
On the other hand, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatullah Khomeini warned Israel against retaliation. “Don’t dare to retaliate us, our next attack will be more painful,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Argachi also warned the US military to “stay out of the issue”.
The situation calls for restraint on all sides, for any further escalation can worsen the plight of innocent people in Middle Eastern countries. In case of an all-out war, the fire could consume many countries and people far and wide.