لخّصلي

Introduction:
The decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict saw a major escalation on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a major attack on Israel. This attack led to a series of intense military operations, (Reuters, 2024) as the IDF entered Gaza to clash with armed groups. The conflict has led to widespread destruction, displacement and loss of life, with casualties mounting on both sides. As the conflict has continued, it has raised regional tensions and raised concerns about wider instability in the Middle East.
The reasons:
The root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are multifaceted and deeply entrenched. They include historical injustices, territorial disputes, and competing claims over land and resources. Decades of failed peace negotiations, coupled with persistent violence and insecurity, have perpetuated a cycle of mistrust and hostility between Israelis and Palestinians. In addition, the rise of extremist and unprovoked actions by Israel and the killing of civilians has complicated efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict. (Haushofer et al., 2010
Consequences and effects:
The struggle that is still going on has far-reaching and significant effects. They consist of severe human misery, population dislocation, infrastructure devastation, and fatalities. In addition, the fighting has increased tensions across the area, resulting in assaults and cross-border conflicts between neighboring nations and non-state groups. In addition, the failure to find a solution to the conflict has impeded regional economic growth and stability, feeding the cycle of violence and unease that jeopardizes the rights of the Palestinian people to their territories. (Britannica, 2024)
Possible future developments:
The future trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is yet unknown. The humanitarian situation in Gaza and other impacted places can worsen if military action is escalated further, resulting in more casualties and devastation. The presence of organizations with Iranian support and other foreign players, together with regional dynamics, might pose further challenges to efforts aimed at de-escalating the war and establishing a durable peace. In addition, if the basic grievances of both Israelis and Palestinians are not addressed, the cycle of violence and instability may continue, extending the suffering of those enmeshed in the conflict. (Reuters, 2024)
Critical analysis related to offensive realist theory:
Understanding power and security dynamics in international relations may be gained from an examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly when seen through the prism of aggressive realism theory. By maximizing their power and security to assure survival, governments function in an anarchic international system, according to aggressive realism. This theory's application to the conflict illuminates the intentions and actions of Palestinian and Israeli players as well as the larger ramifications for regional stability. (Haushofer and associates, 2010)
Fundamentally, offensive realism holds that nations are motivated by an unrelenting quest of power, which often takes the form of dominance over territory and military prowess. Security was crucial in the setting of Israel, a state that was established in 1948 after decades of Zionist ambitions and Holocaust grief. Israel views threats to its existence and hostile neighbors as its immediate surroundings, making it strategically necessary to maintain military supremacy and guard its borders. Israel's attitude to the Palestinian territories and its larger regional policies are shaped by this defensive posture, which is founded in a history of war and instability.
On the other hand, albeit operating from a position of relative weakness, Palestinian actors such as Hamas and other armed organizations also function within the framework of offensive realism. Palestinian organizations aim to contest Israeli control and make their presence felt in the occupied territories despite Israeli occupation, geographical expansion, and economic marginalization. To recover their rights to the land, this often entails using asymmetrical strategies like suicide bombings and missile assaults. (Et al., Javadikouchaksaraei)
With no centralized authority to enforce peace, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is characterized by a constant fight between the two parties for security and power, as highlighted by the aggressive realist approach. According to Israel, preserving military might is essential to thwarting outside threats and ensuring its existence in a dangerous area. In order to preserve Israel's strategic edge and territorial integrity, this has led to actions like building security barriers, killing terrorist leaders on purpose, and sometimes launching military assaults in Gaza.
Similar to this, Palestinian actors—Hamas in particular—use aggressive tactics to subvert Israeli rule and further their political objectives. To regain Palestinian territories, oppose occupation, and achieve national freedom, this includes launching missile assaults, inspiring mass uprisings, and participating in violent resistance against Israeli soldiers. While these operations are often denounced by the international world, Palestinian militants see them as essential steps towards resisting Israeli aggression and reclaiming their right to self-determination.
This competitive dynamic has significant and far-reaching effects on human misery, regional stability, and the likelihood of peace. The cycle of violence and retaliation has been sustained by both sides' unrelenting pursuit of security and power, which has led to a great deal of casualties, population displacement, and infrastructure devastation. A negotiated settlement is made even more difficult by the growing distrust and animosity between Israelis and Palestinians as a result of the lack of a workable peace process and the failure of international attempts to mediate a durable resolution. (Et al., Javadikouchaksaraei)
According to an offensive realist approach, as long as the fundamental power balances do not alter, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is likely to persist in the future. Political impasse, regional conflicts, and ongoing military buildup will further heighten tensions and prolong the misery of those caught in the crossfire. The complex interplay of regional forces, including foreign entities like Iran and its proxies, would impede attempts to defuse the situation and establish a lasting peace.