Tussle Over Territory

Dixya Poudel

As Hamas militants launched lethal missiles on Israel weeks ago, Israel gravely stated that it was now at war with Hamas. With Israel retaliating furiously, the death toll has risen to thousands. As such, the dispute over the two parties isn’t a recent one. The ongoing Israel and Palestine dissension is a festering of the old wounds that has trailed for decades.

The Middle East is among one of the volatile regions in the world as its nations are constantly warring. Day-to-day, one hears of suicide bombings, civil wars, abductions, and terrorisations in the Middle East. Although rich in oil and petroleum, this region hasn’t been able to shake off the lingering disputes that has spanned ages. It has become an unstable zone where nations and sects constantly fight for territories. 

Despite the heavy consequences, nations keep going to war. Last year, Russia plunged into war with Ukraine that continues till date with no end in sight. Globally, there are many sects who are fighting a war for sovereignty. Their sole mission is to have their own flag planted on their own nation which has resulted in wars, discords, and disputes over the issues of lands and borders. Even Nepal has had its share of territorial disputes with its southern neighbour. Although these are relatively minor ones, the sentiments of Nepalis have been miffed over border issues. 

There are many factors at play when it comes to wars but the primary one is territorial gain. Nationalism is a sentiment that is particularly surged during the territorial disputes set in motion by encroaching of borders. Likewise, another reason could be the military ambitions of extending and acquiring lands for resources. Further, ambitions and avarice of political leaders who turn into dictators and tyrants too lead nations into full blown wars. But before such fully escalated wars, there are minor disputes that aren’t sufficiently resolved. As the history of violence builds up, it eventually rises to the state of war.  

War can be many things. It can be individual, social, economic, political, religious, and ethnic. It can range from minor disputes to major World Wars. The two World Wars showed how nationalism forged with politics for territorial gains can lead to destructions and devastations whose effects continue to linger on. As such, the Israel and Palestine dispute started on the twentieth century and it has continued to the twenty-first century. Thousands have consequently died. Fanatics have turned into suicide bombers. Attacks have been hurled at one another and now it has culminated in a war after sudden and unexpected attacks on Israeli lands. 

Human history is tainted by violence. It has led to deaths and destructions that could otherwise have been prevented. Politics and nationalism are often at the forefront of such violence adding to human misery and desolation. And the saddest part is that this violence is transferred from one generation to another leading to a generational trauma. Tuning to news is an act of frustration these days owing to the growing sense of violence. It makes one wonder about the futility of war triggered by fanatical leaders who equate war with a statement of nationalism. The world peace today is at a perilous juncture as wars continue to flare up resulting in grim consequences, particularly a humanitarian one.