Explainer: Why Is Israel-Hamas Attack Important For Middle East Diplomacy?

 

The Israeli government formally declared war on Sunday as the death toll from a surprise Hamas attack rose above 700 and was expected to rise further, with thousands wounded on both sides. 

According to senior members of Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, Iran helped Hamas plan its surprise attack. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, however, said Washington had not seen any evidence that Iran was behind the assault.

Israel is pointing its finger at the accusation at Tehran. The attacks over the weekend may have been born of anger, especially at the months-long behavior of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, including the provocations at al-Aqsa mosque.

Israel has carried out major military campaigns over the past four decades in Lebanon and Gaza that it portrayed as wars but without a formal declaration.

The Saudi economy could shrink this year. While the Kingdom craves Israel’s technological dynamism, it also wants new US defence guarantees and access to civilian nuclear power. Riyadh also needs something tangible about the restart of Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Israel was alsoreceiving broad support from Western governments and leaders, many of whom condemned the Hamas assault and the targeting and systematic abduction of civilians.