Today marks the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel that claimed the lives of some 1,200 Israeli citizens and sparked a deadly, year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas—with no end in sight.
Israel responded to the attacks with a sustained bombardment of Gaza that has claimed the lives of an estimated 42,000 Palestinians and destroyed both homes and infrastructure.
The Israeli military has even made incursions into southern Lebanon as it turns its attention to Hezbollah. Just over a week ago, Iran launched missiles into Israel in retaliation for the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah among others.
That’s lead to fears of the spread of warfare throughout the region.
Memorial University associate professor Justin Fantauzzo says the likelihood of a peaceful resolution to escalating violence is something everyone is hoping for, and is most likely between Israel and Hezbollah.
He thinks that is possible, because Israel has not indicated that it has an appetite for a long-term occupation of southern Lebanon, or a major intervention that goes beyond a buffer zone they want to create about 30-35 km from the Israeli-Lebanese border. “So I think it is entirely possible that we could see a peaceful resolution to that.”
However, in terms of Israel and Hamas, Fantauzzo is less optimistic that a solution will be found without the assistance of regional partners.
“We’re really approaching the point at which Israel is going to continue to degrade Hamas’ military capabilities, continue to strike at its fighters and its leaders, and I think the only solution there is a more comprehensive one that involves regional partners. I don’t think you’re going to see Israel negotiate something directly with Hamas; it will have to include other regional partners.”