Arab world in deep political soup, fears war plunging region into abyss
Washington, Nov 1 : The Arab world is in the middle of a political crisis of unprecedented levels, and there is fear that the Israel-Gaza conflict may lead the region into further problems, former Palestinian peace advisor Hiba Husseini told Sputnik.
“The Arab world is in a political crisis of unprecedented levels not seen since the Nakba days back in 1948,” Husseini said.
“The Arab regimes cannot yet formulate a position on the end game.
However, there is a cohesive tone and message that this war may lead us into a deep black hole.
The relations are very strained.”
Husseini said immediate steps must be taken to resolve the Gaza conflict pending a longer-term political settlement, including a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages, improved humanitarian conditions for Palestinians, and ending destruction to buildings, homes, places of worship, and especially hospitals and medical care facilities in Gaza.
Husseini also said Israel should stop the incursions by the Israeli special forces into the West Bank, settler violence in the West Bank, and psychological warfare against Palestinians.
On October 7, Hamas carried out a surprise large-scale attack on Israel.
Soon after, Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Last week, Israel began its ground invasion of Gaza in what the government called the “second phase” of the offensive against Hamas.
The death toll from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has topped 8,500, and over 21,000 people have been injured, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
The Israeli death toll has exceeded 1,500.
