In the midst of a series of escalating conflicts, fears are growing that Israel, the United States, and Iran’s allies are on the brink of an all-out war. Over the past week, the region has witnessed a series of significant events, including a targeted airstrike by Israel in Beirut, the firing of rockets into Israel by Hezbollah, the killing of a militia commander in Baghdad by the U.S., and clashes between Iran-backed rebels in Yemen and the American Navy.
With each strike and counterstrike, the risk of the ongoing war in Gaza spreading across the region increases. The decades-long standoff involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran and its allied militant groups raises concerns that any party involved could trigger a wider conflict to avoid appearing weak.
Internal divisions within each camp further complicate the situation. Hamas, for instance, may have intended its October 7 attack to draw its allies into a broader war with Israel. Meanwhile, discussions within Israel increasingly revolve around the necessity to alter the dynamics in Lebanon, even as the U.S. aims to contain the conflict.
Hamas asserts that its October 7 attack, which initiated the conflict in Gaza, was an act of Palestinian resistance against Israel’s longstanding dominance over the Palestinians. There is currently no evidence suggesting direct involvement or prior knowledge by Iran, Hezbollah, or other allied groups.
However, Israel’s response with one of the most devastating military campaigns in Gaza has placed pressure on the so-called Axis of Resistance—comprising Iran and its supported militant groups—forcing them to consider a response. The Palestinian cause resonates deeply across the region, and leaving Hamas to face Israeli retaliation alone could jeopardize the military alliance that Iran has built since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“They don’t want war, but at the same time, they don’t want to let the Israelis keep striking without retaliation,” stated Qassim Qassir, a Lebanese expert on Hezbollah. He emphasized the need for a significant event, short of war, to convince the Israelis and Americans that there is no alternative way forward.
The international community closely watches the situation, hoping for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation and avert the devastating consequences of a wider conflict in the already volatile Middle East.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
