Hamas’ attack and subsequent Israeli actions in October 2023 have created a significant turning point in regional and global history, comparable to events like 9/11 or the Arab Spring. Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, has shattered the image of an invincible Israel and raised questions about Western support for Israel’s war crimes.
The attack exposed the vulnerability of Israel’s air defense system, the Iron Dome, as thousands of missiles were launched from the Gaza Strip. This led to a mass exodus of settlers, who had previously migrated to Israel seeking safety. The myth of Israel as a safe haven for Jews has been shattered, and Western public opinion has started to criticize their governments’ support for Israel.
The Middle Eastern normalization process has also come to a halt. While some countries, such as Turkey, have cut diplomatic ties with Israel, others, including Arab states, have frozen their cooperative relations. Both Israelis and Arabs have come to realize that the normalization of the Palestinian situation is crucial for stability in the region.
Moreover, the Western world’s hegemony has been severely damaged due to Israel’s genocidal acts against innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which were supported by countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Western governments’ unconditional support for Israel’s atrocities has eroded their moral standing and cast doubt on their commitment to humanitarian and international law.
International institutions like the United Nations have failed to prevent Israeli war crimes and now face challenges in maintaining their legitimacy and effectiveness. Israeli forces have prevented global leaders from examining the conditions on the ground, further diminishing the credibility of these organizations.
The events in the Middle East have catapulted the region back to the top of the global agenda. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the rivalry in the Pacific, has taken a back seat as the United States redirects its attention and military resources to support Israel. This has caused a shift in global rivalries, with the US decreasing its support for Ukraine to prioritize its involvement in the Middle East.
The aftermath of Israel’s atrocities has left the world more polarized than ever before. The complicity of the West in Israeli war crimes has made it difficult for Western countries to convince others to align with them or adhere to Western values. In response, the Global South is seeking alternative paths for political and economic recovery, aiming to reduce their dependence on the West. The Palestinian resistance has emerged as a symbol of anti-imperialism and anti-Western sentiment.
The impact of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the subsequent Israeli actions cannot be overstated. The events have redefined regional and global balances, with far-reaching consequences. The Middle East of 2023 will be remembered as a turning point in history, equivalent to the significance of Sept. 11 attacks or the Arab Spring.
