Now Israel stands in the middle of a growing wave of conflict and animosity sweeping the region. Its actions are increasingly drawing international condemnation and raising truly fundamental questions about accountability. The nation’s unilateral, unprovoked military operations have torn through many of those territories, resulting in widespread death and destruction, and sparking outrage and rebuke from all around. As Israel’s war against Gaza escalates, one prominent commentator described Israel as a “super sovereign,” which operates with impunity concerning international standards.
Just earlier this week, Israeli forces attacked at least four other Middle Eastern command centers. Global leaders and international human rights organizations have reacted with indignation and dismay. During the course of these assaults, hundreds of innocent lives, including two dozen Americans, have been lost, yet Israel has faced no consequences. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister—wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes—stays firmly in the saddle on his country’s far right. As he steers our nation through these stormy waters.
The ongoing war with Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, with reports indicating widespread violations of international and human rights laws. These violations go beyond Gaza, reaching the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and even Iran. Critics then paint Israel as the aggressor. Countering the U.S. narrative, they claim its military interventions have exacerbated the conflict, deepening and spreading the destabilization caused by U.S. actions.
The resulting vacuum in Israel’s military strategy has left a gaping hole in its response to widespread international condemnation. As it faces new accusations of war crimes with each passing day, Western governments have persisted in giving the Israeli government diplomatic cover fire and military supplies. This support has persisted through various U.S. administrations, including that of Donald Trump, reinforcing Israel’s position on the global stage.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, underscored the technicalities involved in moving too fast. She called attention to Israel being a “major driver” of instability within the region, on that score. Her comments exemplify a growing anger from Western leaders. They want to continue to support Israel even as they see the bad impact of its policies.
The consequences of these military operations have gone beyond the immediate tragedies, reaping long-term regional consequences. Observers warn that Israel’s actions carry a heightened risk of regime change in Iran, further complicating the geopolitical landscape without any clear post-conflict strategy.
Israel just announced it’s increasing its military presence by 100,000 troops. This build-up has caused an increase of Western military troops permanently based in the area. This escalation is dangerous in many ways, not least that these stationed forces could quickly become targets in an exploding crisis. As the danger of a large-scale conflict grows, warnings are sounded from ranks of policymakers and military strategists on both sides.