The Israel-Hamas conflict
The Israel-Hamas conflict has reached alarming proportions, and it has further exacerbated global divisions. While fault lines in global geopolitics related to terrorism are not a new phenomenon, this conflict is also a deadly struggle for territory. Rather than quelling the violence, several countries are adding fuel to the fire by supporting the war. Adding to the complexity, the religious dimensions of the conflict have intensified acts of terror as acts of retribution, making them even more lethal.
In fact, the deliberate blending of religion and terrorism serves the purpose of involving as many people as possible in this destructive agenda. Many responses to this terrorism exploit faith as a means to justify heinous acts. When a struggle transforms into terrorism, it establishes its own self-sustaining system, with funding being a critical component. Powerful interests around the world constantly require conflict zones to sell weapons and other tools of destruction, and this funding only fills the coffers of these interests. This is precisely what is currently occurring in West Asia.
Terrorism is often sponsored by states, and power can facilitate its growth. Islamic countries don’t need to search far to identify the root causes of terrorism affecting them. The Middle East is filled with organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. These groups generate substantial yearly revenues without having to work for it. Regional and global rivalries ensure that money flows into their pockets without much difficulty.
The 2021 report from the US Department of Homeland Security stated that Iran provides $10 million in aid to Palestinian terrorist organizations annually, with Hamas being the primary recipient. Many of Hamas’s top leaders reside outside of Gaza and enjoy a life of luxury in countries like Qatar, Turkiye, and Iran. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s supreme leader, is estimated to have a net worth of $400 million, while Khaled Mashal has around $400 million, and Abu Marzooq possesses approximately $300 million.
According to a report by blockchain researchers TRM Labs, Hamas has received a minimum of $4 million in cryptocurrency since the May 2021 conflict. The combined annual income of the top 10 terrorist organizations worldwide is $385.5 million. In terms of Indian rupees, this amount exceeds 32,000 crores, which is more than the budget of Tripura and slightly less than the budget of Manipur.
*Top 10 terrorist organizations by annual income:*
* Hezbollah: $110 million
* Hamas: $100 million
* Taliban: $80 million
* Al-Qaeda: $30 million
* ISIS: $20 million
* Kurdistan Workers’ Party: $18 million
* Kata’ib Hezbollah: $15 million
* Palestinian Islamic Jihad: $10 million
* Lashkar-e-Taiba: $7.5 million
* Real Irish Republican Army (IRA): $5 million
Countries such as Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are widely recognized for their support of terrorist groups, although they rarely acknowledge it openly. Their sponsorship includes the provision of weapons, ammunition, and military training. Numerous terrorist organizations often find safe havens in Lebanon and Syria, while other countries in the region, such as Egypt and Jordan, are sometimes unwittingly exploited to further the goals of these organizations.
Additionally, substantial funds are channeled into radical groups under the guise of charitable donations. The narcotics trade also serves as a significant source of income for terrorist organizations, with the Taliban regime institutionalizing the cultivation and export of opium.
Former Mossad agent Uzi Shaya alleges that Qatar provided 400 million pounds in funding to Hamas, while Iran contributed approximately half that amount just prior to the group’s assault on Israel. Companies associated with the UAE, Sudan, Algeria, and Turkiye are purportedly used to channel these funds. Nowadays, cryptocurrency has become the most convenient method for terrorist financing.
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2022 report, the Islamic State has surpassed the Taliban as the world’s deadliest terrorist organization. These terrorist organizations are now utilizing GPS systems and encrypted messaging services, as well as employing high-tech and modern firearms. While the focus has been on terrorist activities in the Middle East, the report indicates that sub-Saharan African countries have become significant strongholds for terrorism. Niger, Mali, Congo, and Burkina Faso are the top four countries among the ten where the most deaths have occurred due to terrorism.
German research agency Statista.com has published a ranking of the world’s wealthiest terrorist organizations. Hezbollah, based in Lebanon and known for its attacks on Israel, holds the top position. Hamas, considered a significant adversary of Israel, is ranked second. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, an area measuring 6 to 10 kilometers in width and 45 kilometers in length, engages in conflict with Israel, a country with a GDP exceeding $500 billion and a standing army of half a million personnel. Additionally, Hamas receives support from various sources worldwide in the name of Palestinian freedom and accumulates considerable wealth under the guise of humanitarian aid.
It is essential to recognize that in the Middle East, the strategic tactics have become a consistent feature in the struggle to control oil resources. Religion plays a significant role in this geopolitical game. While Islamic countries may outwardly unite in the name of defending Islam, in reality, they often prioritize their own interests and are divided, even within the Islamic community, when the need arises.
A recent example of this division is the Israel-Hamas conflict, intentionally portrayed as a battle for the survival of the Palestinian people. However, Islamic nations have not effectively opposed Hamas’s actions nor have they managed to unite against Israel’s retaliatory measures. Furthermore, the trade in arms thrives primarily when acts of terrorism persist. This might explain why periods of peace following conflicts have been exploited to bolster terrorist organizations, making preparations for more extensive and prolonged conflicts.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a Muslim solidarity effort for Gaza. This announcement appears to aim at isolating Israel by creating a division between Muslim and non-Muslim nations, reminiscent of past Arab-Israeli conflicts. However, it’s important to note that not all Muslims support the Islamization of this conflict. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain surprised the world by condemning Hamas’s brutal actions. These countries are signatories of the Abraham Accords, established with the support of the United States, signaling a different approach to relations with Israel. On the other hand, countries like Jordan and Egypt have been reluctant to open their borders to the people of Gaza, although this decision is not solely due to their proximity to Hamas.
Israel was founded in 1948 and has maintained a state of constant preparedness for potential conflicts. Over time, through sustained efforts, Israel has fortified its defensive capabilities to the extent that it can effectively face the collective might of neighboring Islamic nations. While American aid undoubtedly contributes to its strength, the unity of the Jewish population and Israel’s strong drive for militarization are the primary sources of its power. The pillars of Israel’s defense rest on modern technology, a robust intelligence infrastructure, and active and passive military forces.
The Israel-Hamas conflict, which is escalating day by day, has led to a division in global support. Western countries and the United States back Israel, while Hamas receives support from most Islamic nations, Russia, and China. Amidst this, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) project has been temporarily halted, with U.S. President Joe Biden citing it as one of the reasons for the Hamas attack. This project aims to connect India to Europe through the Middle East, with Israel as a partner. China, already concerned about the IMEEC project as it challenges its Belt and Road Initiative, is leveraging the situation to pursue its interests in the Middle East, capitalizing on the conflict. India’s initial stance of supporting Israel is a diplomatic response to counteract this opportunism.
