Since the Hamas incursion into southern Israel from Gaza on the 7th of October, the Israeli government has been trying to rally international support, receiving backing from the United States, the United Kingdom and most of the European Union, among other world leaders. Most of whom have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Hamas is an Iranian-funded group and are the governing body of the Gaza Strip. It is one of the world's most densely populated areas, with 2.3 million people living in a mere 362-square-kilometre strip of territory. Israel has since started a fierce bombing campaign, with 6000 bombs dropped in the first six days, more than the US dropped on Afghanistan in all of 2019.
But what has been the message from Arab states and the reply from Israel?
The foreign ministers of nations in the Arab League have prompted Israel to rethink and cease their
“unjust decision to cut electricity supply and water to Gaza”
on top of their devastating air offensive. A ground invasion of the Gaza Strip is in the early stages as of writing.
IDF tanks moving south along the Gazan coast, towards Gaza City.
Yemeni rebels have fired ballistic and cruise missiles as well as having launched drones north, up the Red Sea intent on striking southern Israel. Most were intercepted by air-defense technology. The Houthi rebel group, also militarily backed by Iran, launched these attacks from Sanaa, Yemen, more than 1,600km away. According to the time of writing, these assaults happened only a few hours ago.
To the north in Lebanon, the people have protested and the government has expressed their sympathy for the Palestinian people, although not wanting another war with Israel. A large political party, Hezbollah, who have their own militia, also backed by Iran, have since been conducting small skirmishes across the border with Israeli forces. The Israelis have since responded with bombings of positions Hezbollah and Palestinian groups hold in Southern Lebanon. This has, however, been the case for the past few years. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu has warned Hezbollah with the statement:
"It would make the mistake of its life including itself in the current conflict."
In Syria, Assad’s Russian and Iranian-supported government forces have been hit by Israeli strikes, with Moscow calling them “unacceptable”. Tensions are growing in the Syrian Israeli-occupied territory of Golan Heights, with clashes occurring regularly. Israel has put both airports in the country, in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo, out of action, twice, within two weeks. Their reasoning is they want to halt Iranian supplies and troop movements within the country.
In the Gulf, Qatar has taken the role of mediator, mainly on the issue of 200 Israeli hostages taken. However neutral they may claim to be, the emir has still stated Israel should not be granted the “free license to kill”. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has declared
“The kingdom continues to stand by the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their legitimate rights[...]”
defying the USA pro-Israel narrative. The United Arab Emirates has condemned civilian casualties on both sides and controversially announced the conflict would not “impact economic agreements" with Israel.