Palestinians in Gaza pay the price of politicians' ambitions

In a radio interview from New York, he asserted that Hezbollah and other Tehran allies "have their finger on the trigger," only to retract his statement hours later by saying, "We do not want this war to escalate."

The time between those two forms of words was endured with difficulty by Lebanon and its people and the wider region. And the hours were made more difficult because of a simultaneous communications blackout in Gaza.

It worsened the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza by bringing greater uncertainty to its people, who were already subject to the most heinous crimes in a genocidal war waged by the Israeli army under the pretext of punishing Hamas.

Where are the red lines?

After Israel's extensive ariel bombardment – which killed thousands of civilians, including many children – its ground offensive in the Strip has begun.

A ground invasion of Gaza was singled out by Hezbollah, via Iranian officials, as the development that would bring them into the conflict. Today, it remains unclear what they meant by a ground invasion and to what extent Iran and its proxies will tolerate Israel's incursion into the territory.

Whatever else, Gaza remains isolated from the world, with its inhabitants, as well as the wider region, feeling abandoned.

Amid all this, Hassan Nasrallah's silence is striking. So are the appeals of Hamas' leaders to Iran and its proxies in the so-called Axis of Resistance – primarily Hezbollah – to intervene in the war.

Allies unnerved

A source close to the decision-makers in Tehran and leaders of Hezbollah says that Al-Aqsa Flood attacks had been in preparation for about two years, with the wider Axis also getting ready for a more comprehensive operation against Israel.

But the leaders of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, launched the Al-Aqsa Flood on 7 October without informing its allies of the timing. This was apparent from the confusion among Iran and across the Axis as the operation unfolded.

Later, Moussa Abu Marzouk, the deputy head of the Hamas' politburo, said the Al-Aqsa Flood operation was carried out without the knowledge of the Axis. And Iran wants to imply that the timing was determined in Turkey. But that is a separate matter that requires separate examination.  

Denials in Tehran

What is certain is that ever since 7 October, Iran itself has been consistent in denying involvement in the operation, while Hamas leaders insist on Tehran's support and financial backing.

Even if these claims both hold truth, Iran, with its usual pragmatism, has managed to manipulate the entire situation to its advantage.

On a rare and unexpected visit to New York, its Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian revealed that Hamas leaders are willing to release civilian prisoners and hand them over to Tehran. Notably, Hamas did not deny this claim.

And even after attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq by Iran-backed militias, in which 24 Americans were injured, the White House has stuck to its line that it does not want conflict with Iran.

Washington's position has remained consistent even after confirmation from the Pentagon that the militias responsible were affiliated with Iran and that there has been no response on the ground to the attacks.

It seems as if rules of engagement have been established between the US and the militias in southern Lebanon, and the situation is not expected to escalate.

And so, Gaza is alone, with millions of people left to face death.

Their predicament comes as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds the war helpful – to buy time to deal with the stark political crisis he faces internally.

In the claim and counterclaim over the war, the head of Hamas' politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, has said the fighting is going well. He seems to be looking past the human suffering around him to pursue broader objectives. Perhaps the politics is more significant to him.

Whatever else, the people of Gaza are not doing well. Their lives and political ambitions were far removed from the violence and the rubble of the Strip.

Questions abound

Why does this political calculus conclude that this suffering is worth these objectives? Has this region ever held anyone accountable for causing the shedding of its people's blood?

Did anyone hold Nasrallah accountable after the July 2006 war for the destruction, devastation, and death that befell Lebanon then?

Why is it that the lives of the people of this region seem to carry such little weight? Hezbollah has grown in strength within Lebanon and the broader region following that last war, has the might of its weaponry obscured its view of this human suffering?

A prayer for Gaza

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, wants to end the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority as the main representative of an oppressed people.

Iran also wants a place at the negotiating table that will decide what happens next. Will it be able to make its voice heard through Hamas, or another proxy, or will it want direct representation?

For those of us naïve enough to refuse to accept bloodshed – to further such interests, and answer these questions – these days are not just marked by uncertainty and concern at the potential expansion of war, but by continuous disappointment. It is those who thrive amid violence that are encouraged.

Until this changes, may God protect Gaza and its people, from their enemies and from their allies.