By Bella Balisi-Bevilacqua
The skirmish surrounding the state of Israel is deeply entrenched in a multifaceted history of territorial disputes, ideological divisions, and competing national accounts. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in particular, has stood as a defining geopolitical fault line in the Middle East for over a century. Following the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, immediate hostilities broke out between the nascent nation and surrounding Arab states, marking the commencement of a pattern of protracted warfare, failed peace attempts, and continuing regional fragility (Britannica, n.d.).
Key historical milestones, such as the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, significantly changed the territorial map and aggravated hostilities. Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights following these wars intensified international scrutiny and Palestinian resistance. Over the decades, military operations and Israeli settlement expansions in occupied territories have remained points of acute tension, provoking varied responses from global actors depending on their political alignment and strategic interests (Harvard International Review, 2023).
Peace efforts, most notably the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, aimed to pave the way for mutual recognition and a two-state solution. However, deep-seated distrust, recurring violence, and political disintegration within both Israeli and Palestinian leadership have stalled and eventually hindered long-term resolution. Moreover, the tenacious disparity in power dynamics and the widely divergent elucidations of historical grievances further complicate diplomatic progress (Harvard International Review, 2023; Britannica, n.d.).
Contemporary Tensions: Israel and Iran
Just recently, Israel’s regional conflict has expanded beyond Palestinian territories to include a long-standing and increasingly unpredictable rivalry with Iran. This adversarial relationship has manifested through proxy wars, cyberattacks, and threats of nuclear escalation. The tensions escalated sharply with Israel’s recent preemptive strike on dozens of Iranian military sites, including nuclear facilities. Carried out under the pretext of national self-defence, the strike was deemed necessary by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz amid growing fears over Iran’s nuclear ambitions (NBC News, 2025; MSN News, 2025a).
This military operation marks a substantial escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and indicates a shift in Israel’s tactical calculus. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) censure of Iran for non-compliance with nuclear agreements had already sharpened global concern. Iran’s vow to retaliate underscores the risk of a broader regional confrontation, potentially involving multiple state and non-state actors (MSN News, 2025b; BBC News, 2025).
The international community is now rassling with the possible ramifications of this development. Israel’s actions, while presented as a form of deterrence, have generated debates around proportionality, sovereignty, and the potential fallout for regional and global security architecture. The strike not only destabilizes immediate bilateral relations but also undermines broader diplomatic efforts aimed at nuclear non-proliferation and peacebuilding in the Middle East.
A Century of Conflict
The interconnected layers of Israel’s conflicts—ranging from historic grievances with Palestinians to current confrontations with Iran—highlight the region’s deep-rooted volatility. Any path to sustainable peace will require addressing not only the immediate security concerns but also the foundational political and historical disputes that fuel these hostilities. A more profound understanding of both past and present dimensions is essential for policymakers, scholars, and international actors seeking long-term stability in the region.
References
BBC News. (2025). Live: Israel attacks Iran amid Middle East tensions. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c93ydeqyq71t
Britannica. (n.d.). Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. https://www.britannica.com/explore/israeli-palestinian-conflicts
Harvard International Review. (2023). A century of conflict: Professor Eugene Rogan’s historical perspective on Israel-Palestine. https://hir.harvard.edu/a-century-of-conflict-professor-eugene-rogans-historical-perspective-on-israel-palestine/
MSN News. (2025a). Israel strikes dozens of targets in Iran, including nuclear program: IDF. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israel-strikes-dozens-of-targets-in-iran-including-nuclear-program-idf/ar-AA1GAIeQ
MSN News. (2025b). Live updates: Israel attacks Iran. https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/international-relations/live-updates-israel-attacks-iran/ar-AA1GC6cT
NBC News. (2025). Israel strikes Iran amid the Middle East conflict. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/israel-strikes-iran-middle-east-conflict-live-updates-rcna212727
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