94Ha Viewpoint
More than 200,000 people died in conflicts around the world in the past year, up 37% year-on-year; among them, the Middle East has become the center of global insecurity, and the number of deaths in the Middle East and North Africa has increased by more than 315%.
The armed conflict survey report released by the British think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) on Thursday (December 12) analyzed the political, military and humanitarian aspects of global armed conflicts between July 1 last year and June 30 this year, revealing the complexity and severe situation of international conflicts.
The report pointed out that in addition to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, conflicts in other regions have escalated again, especially in the Middle East. The attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year reshaped the security pattern in the Middle East, intensified the long-term confrontation between Israel and Iran and its allies, and may trigger a full-scale regional war.
In addition, the firm support of the United States and European countries for Israel has also turned the initial regional conflict into an international crisis.
The Israeli-Kazakh conflict has led to an 85% year-on-year increase in violent incidents in the Middle East and North Africa, and a 315% surge in deaths. The conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa mainly include Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq and Iran.
The ongoing conflict and Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid have caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In the Gaza Strip alone, 90% of the people are displaced and about 340,000 people are in a “disaster” situation, a category second only to famine.
Looking at the entire region, at least 53.8 million people need humanitarian assistance, including more than 41 million people who are in a state of food insufficiency.
In the Gaza Strip, 90% of the people are displaced and 340,000 people are in a “disaster” situation, a category second only to famine.
The World Bank also estimates that the damage to infrastructure caused by the Gaza conflict exceeds US$18.5 billion (about S$24.8 billion), equivalent to 97% of Palestine’s GDP in 2022.
It is worth noting that non-state armed groups (NSAGs) are rising in many fragile or conflict-affected countries around the world. As of July this year, there are 455 active armed groups in the world, and about 210 million people live under the full or controversial control of these groups.
This phenomenon is particularly prominent in the Middle East and Africa, and most of the organizations are supported by Iran. They form the “Iranian Resistance Axis”, including the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi armed groups. They play an important role in the Middle East conflict, highlighting their growing geopolitical and economic influence.
The report speculates that the conflict may continue until Hamas is eliminated; or Hezbollah, Iran or Syria decides that it is not worth continuing to participate in the conflict; or a ceasefire agreement is reached.
The General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
On the other hand, the United Nations General Assembly held an emergency special session on Wednesday (11th) and adopted a resolution with an overwhelming majority, calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while urging the immediate release of all hostages.
This non-binding resolution was supported by 158 of the 193 member states of the General Assembly. The United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against the resolution; 13 countries abstained.
The General Assembly also adopted another resolution with 159 votes in favor, condemning Israel’s legislation to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East from operating in the country. Again, the United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against the resolution; 11 countries abstained.
Israel accused the agency’s staff of participating in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 last year. The agency immediately fired nine staff members involved in the attack.
