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.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 19, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times Lucknow.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 19, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times Lucknow.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Kapil Sharma says 'Don't spread hate' amid criticism for alleged racist remark against Atlee
Comedian-talk show host Kapil Sharma has been facing intense criticism for seemingly making a joke about filmmaker Atlee's appearance on his comedy-talk show, The Great Indian Kapil Show.
Thinking bowler who could at will outwit batsmen
The off-spinners' club lost its brightest star when R Ashwin announced his retirement in Brisbane on Wednesday.
UP Police announce ₹25,000 reward for accused in Sunil Pal, Mushtaq Khan abductions
The Meerut Police in Uttar Pradesh has announced a reward of ₹25,000 for information on Lavi Pal, the main accused in the abductions of comedian Sunil Pal and actor Mushtaq Khan.
INDIA'S RECORD GOLD IMPORT WAS DUE TO AN ERROR IN CALCULATION
A surge in gold imports that widened India's trade deficit to a record last month and pushed the rupee to an all-time low was due to an error in calculation, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
TVS Credit eyes bid for Avendus Capital
TVS Credit has joined the race for KKR-backed investment bank Avendus Capital as part of its strategy to expand the group's financial services business, three people with knowledge of the development said.
Donald Trump threatens to impose reciprocal tax on India
US President-elect Donald Trump has said that India charges \"a lot\" of tariff, reiterating his intention to impose reciprocal tariffs in retaliation for what New Delhi will impose on the import of certain American products.
Net direct tax kitty grows 16% on corporate refunds
Gross direct tax collection in 2024-25 (as on December 17) saw 20.32% year-on-year (y-o-y) jump to ₹19.21 lakh crore, but net collection in the period saw 16.45% increase at ₹15.82 lakh crore on higher refunds of ₹3.39 lakh crore, particularly on account of corporates, government data said.
Relief for quick commerce as CCI not keen to step in
Predatory pricing claims by trade body shadow growth of quick commerce
TRUMP WARNS TOP GOP CRITIC COULD BE 'IN A LOT OF TROUBLE'
Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that an ex-congresswoman who probed his role in the 2021 Capitol riot \"could be in a lot of trouble,\" after Republican lawmakers called for her to be criminally investigated.
Israeli strikes kill 20 in Gaza
The US, joined by Arab mediators, sought on Wednesday to conclude an agreement between Israel and Hamas to halt the 14-month-old war in the Gaza Strip where medics said Israeli strikes killed at least 20 Palestinians overnight.
