Peace and Democracy are Elusive on this Globe because of Israel’s attack on Iran The global citizens are increasingly concerned about the Gaza and Iran’s nuclear conflict with the US and Israel, where numerous individuals experience significant suffering in various regions, such as Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Afghanistan, Gaza, Ukraine, and even within the United States. The principles of democracy and peace appear elusive, lacking in both developing and developed nations. However, the developed nation is more prone into danger because of their whims and underhanded politics.

 The world is shocked to see Israel has commenced an operation against Iran, targeting multiple sites, including nuclear installations, military leaders, and scientists. It sounds like Israel has become a superpower than the US. Israel meticulously targeted Iran's nuclear spots and killed scientists, their children attacking their homes. This time Netanyahu went extra length attacking Iran as it was Netanyahu’s long desire to destroy Iran that he described in his book Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorists. He doesn't care about the US, Biden or Trump administration. The Israeli lobby is so powerful and impact on the Congress that Trump has no voice to stop Netanyahu. The power imbalance between Israel and the US can be dangerous for the world. Israel claims it acted independently due to Tehran's development of nuclear warheads. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, stated that the operation, named Rising Lion, aims to "counter the Iranian threat to Israel’s existence" and  will continue for an extended period. Netanyahu announced in a televised address that the operation focused on disrupting Iran's nuclear enrichment program, its nuclear weaponization efforts, and the ballistic missile development program.

Iranian state media reported that Hossein Salami, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard, along with scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were killed during the operation. It seems they were approached while at home. Iranian state television reported that children were killed in airstrikes on residential areas in Tehran. Explosions were heard in Natanz and other locations in Iran, while Israel prepared for a possible response, closing Ben Gurion airport to flights. An Iranian source warned of a "harsh and decisive" retaliation, which is being discussed at high levels. The Israel Defense Forces described their operation as a pre-emptive strike on Iran’s nuclear program, with dozens of jets targeting military and nuclear sites.

Netanyahu justified the attack, stating Iran's enriched uranium supply could lead to nuclear weapons within months if not halted, likening the situation to the west's inaction before World War II.  The assault on Iran occurred just days prior to a new set of US-Iran talks scheduled in Oman, aimed at resolving the tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, which has rapidly progressed since 2018 when Donald Trump exited an international agreement that limited it.  In the hours leading up to the attacks, Trump recognized the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran and attempted to dissuade it while negotiations with Tehran were still ongoing.

“I don’t want them to proceed,” he stated, cautioning that it would “ruin” the opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. It was uncertain to what extent, if at all, Israel informed Washington of its upcoming strikes.  Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, reported that the US did not participate in the Israeli offensive. “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” Rubio stated. “We are not engaged in strikes against Iran, and our main focus is on safeguarding American personnel in the region. Israel informed us that they deemed this action essential for their self-defense. “President Trump and the administration have implemented all necessary measures to safeguard our forces and are maintaining close communication with our regional allies. Let me make it clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy expressed that Israel’s choice to act independently reflected Trump’s weakness on the international front.  “Israel’s strike on Iran, clearly aimed at undermining the Trump administration’s talks with Iran, threatens to ignite a regional conflict that could be disastrous for the United States and is further evidence of the diminishing respect world powers – including our allies – have for President Trump,” Murphy remarked.  Israel will likely require US assistance for its defense if it retaliates with a missile attack. In his address, Netanyahu commended Trump for his efforts in addressing Iran but asserted that Tehran was merely using negotiations to “buy time.” He stated that Israel was not only acting for its own defense.

“I want to assure the civilized world, we will not permit the most dangerous regime to acquire the world’s most perilous weapons, and Iran intends to transfer those nuclear weapons to its terrorist proxies, making the horror of nuclear terrorism a real possibility,” he declared. “The expanding range of Iran’s ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear horror to cities in Europe and eventually to America.” President Trump issued warnings and facilitated the evacuation of Americans from the Iraqi Embassy. His influence over Israel remains unclear, raising questions  about his administration's role in the unfolding events.

This situation demonstrates the complexity of US and Israeli politics.  Foggy Peace and Truce Deal in Gaza Yesterday, at least 120 Palestinians have been killed and 474 injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. Three bodies of those killed previously were also recovered from the rubble. It is a shame that 57 aid seekers have been killed and more than 363 injured by Israel since this morning, bringing the total number of people killed at aid distribution centres to 224, with 1,858 others injured, the ministry added. The Israeli military has admitted its troops fired “warning shots” in the area of the Netzarim Corridor, where the majority of aid seekers were reported killed overnight, adding that it is “aware of reports regarding individuals injured, the details are under review.”

Today 52 civilians were killed since dawn among them 24 were aid seekers. Israeli forces killed dozens of Palestinians and injured hundreds daily as they sought aid at a contentious US- and Israel-backed distribution centre in Gaza. There is no sign of truce or compassion for the children and civilians from Israeli leader Netanyahu. There will not be a state named Palestine. In an interview with Bloomberg News released on Tuesday, Huckabee was asked if a Palestinian state is still a goal of US policy, to which he responded, “I don’t think so.” The US ambassador is a strong proponent of Israel, having stated that there is “no such thing” as illegal Israeli settlements or the West Bank. This week, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee mentioned that a two-state solution is no longer a priority for US policy, which had been the case for many years under both Republican and Democrat administrations.

 “Unless there are significant developments that alter the situation, there’s no possibility for it,” Huckabee told Bloomberg News during an interview in Jerusalem. He mentioned that it won’t occur “in our lifetime.” Huckabee has advocated in the past for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and once claimed that “there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.” Earlier during the conflict, Trump proposed vague ideas for a “Gaza Riviera,” which included US oversight of the coastal region and the displacement of many Palestinian residents living there. In a statement, CAIR’s National Executive Director Nihad Awad stated that the Trump administration needs to clarify whether Huckabee’s recent remarks regarding a Palestinian state represent his personal beliefs or the new position of the administration.

 The United States finds itself navigating a precarious landscape once again, as recent developments in the protracted conflict unveil a complex tapestry of hope and uncertainty. The US envoy has communicated a newly revised proposal from Israel to Hamas, signaling a potentially transformative moment in this enduring struggle. In a noteworthy shift, Hamas has expressed its preliminary agreement to the original proposal put forth by Steve Witkoff, which emphasizes a complete ceasefire and the urgent withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. This acceptance could herald a significant change in the dynamics of the ongoing strife, igniting discussions about the elusive pathway toward lasting peace in the region.

Yet, Hamas has articulated that the ceasefire proposal offers “no guarantees” for a definitive end to the Gaza war. Under the proposed terms, a number of living captives would be freed, alongside the return of 18 bodies, in exchange for a contingent of Palestinian prisoners.  Despite the complexities, Hamas’s leading official, Basem Naim, conveyed that the group had responded positively to the recent proposal, even as he emphasized that it diverged from a prior agreement made with Witkoff just a week earlier. "One week ago, we reached an understanding with Mr. Witkoff on a specific proposal, and we communicated that it was acceptable for us to treat it as a negotiating framework," Naim stated.

“However, instead of presenting a response from the Israelis, he returned with a new proposal that bore no resemblance to what we had previously discussed." Earlier, Hamas released a statement asserting the submission of its response to Witkoff, indicating that the proposal aimed to forge a permanent ceasefire, ensure a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Palestinian population. They outlined that, as part of an agreement, 10 living Israeli captives would be set free, along with the bodies of 18 deceased Israelis, in exchange for an “agreed- upon number of Palestinian prisoners.” In a swift rebuttal, Witkoff characterized Hamas’s response as “totally unacceptable.”

He urged the group to embrace the framework proposal presented as a basis for immediate proximity talks. “This is our sole opportunity to forge a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days,” he declared via social media, emphasizing that such an agreement would allow for the return of half the living hostages and half of those who have passed, while also establishing a platform for in-depth negotiations aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Witkoff's sentiments, stating, "As Witkoff indicated, Hamas’s response is unacceptable and regressive to the situation. Israel will persist in its efforts to secure the return of our hostages and to decisively defeat Hamas." Amid these diplomatic tensions, the tragedy on the ground continues to unfold. Israeli forces have tragically killed at least 31  Palestinians who were gathering to collect food near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial organization supported by both the US and Israel.  A separate attack on another GHF site in central Gaza claimed at least one life.

Dr. Tom Potoka, a consultant plastic surgeon at Nassar Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, recounted to Al Jazeera the chaotic aftermath of the Israeli assault on a food distribution site in Rafah, painting a grim picture of destruction and despair. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, characterized by pervasive violence and devastating loss of life throughout the tumultuous 19 months of conflict. Despite countless appeals for peace, temporary ceasefires have proven fleeting and ineffective, failing to yield sustainable solutions. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have approached the grave issue of genocide with notable reluctance, often downplaying its severity. Inadvertently, they have bolstered Israel’s military capacity by providing substantial quantities of bombs, arms, and ammunition, further entrenching the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of civilians trapped in this relentless cycle of violence.

 As the international community struggles to manage these intricate dynamics, the call for accountability and justice amid profound human rights violations remains urgent. It is often said that it is better to be late than never—a sentiment that resonates deeply when confronting atrocities such as the ongoing genocide in Gaza. As we reflect on the harrowing milestone of 19 months into this tragic war, it is increasingly apparent that some of Israel's closest allies have begun to reassess their positions.  

Due to the US administration's reluctance, Netanyahu attacked Iran without its consent. Now, more than ever, we, peace activists must advocate for a sustainable peace in the Middle East and two-state solution capable of delivering lasting peace to the region, holding leaders accountable for their actions, and confronting Prime Minister Netanyahu with the scrutiny he deserves for policies that have effectively entrapped Gazans in what many have come to describe as an open-air prison for the last two decades.

 Dr Pamelia Riviere is a freelance writer and analyst.