ISRAEL, GAZA, AND THE REST OF US IN THE WORLD
The Israeli military has launched a ground offensive into Lebanon. This comes after Israel declared war on Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack in which over 1,600 Israelis were killed by Hamas, the political power governing the Gaza Strip. In retaliation, Israel vowed to respond, and it has done so with force. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 41,000 people have been killed in Gaza. The conflict is now escalating to a new dimension, one that could eventually affect all of us.
On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran and based in Lebanon, entered the conflict in solidarity with Hamas. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are part of what is known as the “Axis of Resistance,” alongside Iran. They are united in their resistance against Israel, accusing the country of occupying Palestinian land. While the West designates these groups as terrorist organizations, they refer to themselves as resistance forces.
Israel enjoys support from the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies, who view Israel as a legitimate entity and have pledged to support its right to exist. Recently, some Arab states have also aligned with Israel, sparking debates about the Shiite-Sunni divide in the Muslim world. Iran, a Shiite-majority nation, contrasts with Sunni-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, and loyalties in the region may fluctuate between these sects.
Following the October 7 attacks, Israel’s military operations have resulted in the deaths of several Hamas leaders. Most notably, the leader of Hamas was recently targeted and killed by Israeli forces while attending the burial of the late President of Iran, right inside Iran. A few days ago, Israel also killed a Hezbollah leader in Lebanon. In response, Iran—the primary supporter of Hezbollah—fired over 180 ballistic missiles into Israel. Although many were intercepted or landed in open ground, the message was clear: Iran is capable of causing significant problems for Israel. The risk of a wider Middle East conflict is now greater than ever, with the United Nations and many organizations calling for restraint.
How This Affects Us:
- Rise in Global Energy Prices: Iran is a major energy producer, and a full-blown conflict involving Israel and Iran could further plunge the world into an energy crisis, driving inflation and increasing the cost of living. This impact will be felt globally, including in Nigeria.
- Tourism: Israel is a major tourist destination, especially for religious pilgrims. It is home to the holiest places in Christianity and the third holiest site in Islam. A full-scale war would devastate tourism and severely impact Israel’s economy.
- Lebanon’s Fragility: Lebanon is already a country in crisis. For two years, it has been without a president since the last uprising, and its economy is in shambles. A war would deepen the region’s poverty and lead to more suffering.
In Abuja, Nigeria, the conflict can affect us in several ways:
- Increase in Cost of Living: As global energy prices rise due to instability in the Middle East, Nigeria, which imports refined oil products, could experience a spike in fuel costs. This increase may lead to higher transportation expenses and inflation, which would affect the prices of goods and services in Abuja and across the country.
- Religious Sensitivity: Nigeria has both Christian and Muslim populations, and Israel holds significance for both religions. Christians may worry about the impact on religious sites in Israel, while Muslims may feel solidarity with Palestinians. If the conflict intensifies, it could fuel religious tensions locally, potentially causing communities to take sides.
Nigeria may seem far removed from the conflict, but if we are not careful, we could find ourselves drawn into a situation that we never intended to be part of.
Ubong Usoro
