West Asia Roundup: August 2024

Abstract

US mediated ceasefire efforts by Egypt and Qatar and ‘take it or leave it’ proposals and the deal to rescue hostages , showed lack of enthusiasm on the part of warring parties in the 11 months long war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas stuck to the position that it had already concurred with the July 2 -Biden Plan and that Israel merely wanted to change goal posts all the time and both sides accused each other while the international community watched helplessly and expressed concern and worries about a region wide escalation. Israel maintained that any deal must allow Israeli forces to remain in the Philadelphi corridor between Egypt and Gaza to ensure its own security. Hezbollah and Israel continued to attack each other across the Blue Line.

As per OHCHR by the end of August 40602 Palestinians were killed; 93855 injured in Gaza; 645 people including 151 fatalities in West Bank and 339 Israeli soldiers died while 2262 Israelis injured since the war started in October last year. Israel continued to launch and expand operations in the north of the occupied west bank while they allowed some Palestinians to return to some evacuated areas in Khan Younis for the first time. US announced new sanctions an Israeli NGO due to its support for violence in the West Bank. Attack and killing of UN humanitarian mission caused an international uproar as Israel called it as a ‘Communication error’. Out of the 199 planned humanitarian missions only 74 could be facilitated causing more hardships for the beleaguered and displaced Gazans. Hostage families continued to protest for their early release and securing a ceasefire deal for the same. Reportedly, Israel also offered a safe corridor to Hamas’s new leader Yahya Sinwar as it claimed that Hezbollah fighting capability had been significantly decimated.

Pakistan Opened a New Consulate in Homs Province of Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia, Türkiye, Syria and Iran will meet to discuss the normalization efforts between Syria and Türkiye following last year’s ministerial meetings. Türkiye and Syria severed toes in 2011. Of course, PKK/YPG issue who Türkiye considers terrorists is at the core.

India

The 17th India-Israel Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi on August 28. Reiterating India’s strong and unequivocal condemnation of the October 7 terror attacks on Israel, the Foreign Secretary called for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, ceasefire, the need for continued humanitarian assistance, and adherence to international humanitarian law. At the same time, he also shared India’s concern at the escalating situation in West Asia and emphasized restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy.

Qatari authorities had seized a copy of “Guru Granth Saheb’ from an Indian national allegedly running a Gurdwara without authorisation. As a result of Government’s intervention and in view of the good relations the holy book was returned. Indian Government also appealed to all Indian citizens residing in Qatar or other countries to scrupulously follow local laws and regulations in all matters.

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jai Shankar visited Kuwait (August 18) and conferred with his counterpart and called on several leaders. Both sides reviewed various aspects of our bilateral relations including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural, consular and people-to-people contacts as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Kuwait is the only GCC country where PM Modi’s visit is awaited, which the discussions would have pertained to as well.

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Israel-Palestine Conflict

Israel's military operation in the Jenin refugee camp, in the occupied West Bank in the last week of August marked the largest assault on Palestinian territory in over 20 years. The raid, involving airstrikes, ground forces, and the destruction of homes, left Jenin in crisis, with residents struggling for access to food, water, and medical aid. Paramedics are struggling to reach people due to blocked telecommunications and restricted movement.

Israeli forces, using drones and armoured vehicles, have faced heavy resistance from Palestinian fighters, including members of Hamas, leading to several gun battles. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced the death of 20-year-old soldier Elkana Navon and the injury of another during the raid. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with residents trapped in their homes and cut off from outside assistance.

On 27 August, Israeli airstrike on the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank has killed five Palestinians, including three teenagers. The strike, targeting armed resistance leaders, occurred overnight, according to reports. Medical sources confirmed the deaths of Adnan Jaber, 15, Mohammed Ahmad Elayyan, 16, Mohannad Qarawi, 19, Jibril Ghassan Jibril, 20, and Mohammed Ali Yusif, 49. Palestinian parties declared a general strike in Tulkarem in protest, while Hamas condemned the attack, calling for intensified resistance. Israeli air raids in the West Bank, particularly in Tulkarem, Jenin, and Nablus, have surged since the war on Gaza began.

Israeli forces killed one Palestinian during a dawn raid in the occupied West Bank city of Tubas, targeting the home of Fayez Fawaz Abu Amer on 14 August. The Israeli military described the operation as a “counterterrorism” effort, stating they eliminated one "terrorist" and arrested suspects while confiscating weapons. Following the raid, confrontations spread to the nearby town of Tammun, where an Israeli drone strike killed four individuals.

The governor of Tubas reported that Israeli forces took the bodies of those killed, consistent with Israel's policy of withholding the remains of Palestinians deemed responsible for attacks. Video footage verified by Al Jazeera showed troops dragging one body before placing it in a military vehicle. The Israeli army claimed it conducted air strikes against armed individuals in the area, where clashes erupted with reported gunfire and explosions.

The Palestinian Red Crescent stated that it was blocked from reaching the site due to military road closures. The recent violence follows a shooting near the illegal Israeli settlement of Mahola in the Jordan Valley, prompting a series of raids by Israeli forces in various Palestinian villages. Drone attacks in the West Bank have increased in recent months, resulting in multiple casualties.

In the occupied West Bank, tensions escalated as Israeli settlers held marches, claiming more Palestinian land during the religious holiday. Reports indicate that over 624 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the current conflict, alongside thousands displaced due to demolitions and land confiscations. In a recent raid, Israeli forces killed a young Palestinian man and injured several others while demolishing homes of Palestinian prisoners. Analysts suggest that the current situation provides settlers with an opportunity to alter the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque and in East Jerusalem amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza.

On 10 August, more than 100 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli airstrike on al-Tabin school in Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced people, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. The strike, described as a “horrific massacre,” hit during morning prayers and caused a fire that spread through the building. The Israeli military said the school was being used as a Hamas command centre, although no evidence was provided. Palestinian officials and humanitarian organizations condemned the attack, while rescue efforts were hindered by Israeli forces cutting water access to the area. Hamas's armed wing reported that one Israeli captive was killed by his guards in Gaza, and two female captives were injured in a separate incident on 12 August. Abu Obeida, a spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, stated that a committee is investigating the matter. The Israeli army confirmed it was looking into the claims but could not verify them.

Israeli Special Forces have rescued Kaid Farhan al-Kadi, a 52-year-old Bedouin, from a tunnel in Gaza in a complex operation on 27 August. Al-Kadi, captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack, is now in stable condition. He was among about 250 people taken by Hamas in the assault, which killed over 1,100 people in Israel. On 31 August, Israeli strikes near al-Ahli Arab Hospital killed three people. The hospital had been targeted earlier in the war, resulting in hundreds of deaths. Efforts by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire have stalled as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seeks "total victory" over Hamas, while the group demands a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.

In last week of August, Gaza's Health Ministry began vaccinating children against polio, ahead of a large-scale campaign. The campaign aims to inoculate around 640,000 Palestinian children after the first polio case in Gaza in 25 years was discovered this month. Reporters saw infants receiving doses at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where parents expressed relief. The World Health Organization confirmed the broader vaccination effort, which will span three days. Amid this, Gaza remains in a deepening humanitarian crisis due to Israel's offensive following the October 7 Hamas attack. The conflict has killed over 40,000 people in Gaza.

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict

Israel intensified its military operations in Lebanon starting from first week of August, killing Hamas official Samer al-Hajj in a drone strike in Sidon, about 50 km from the southern border. The attack also injured two civilians and sparked protests in Sidon, where Hamas labelled al-Hajj a "martyr." The Israeli military claimed he was responsible for attacks on Israel from Lebanon. This escalation follows the assassination of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut earlier this month, which has heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate for Shukr’s killing and has been engaging in near-daily clashes with Israeli forces along the border. The situation remains volatile, with fears of a broader conflict as Hezbollah prepares to respond. Israel's recent attacks mark a deepening of its military operations in Lebanon, as it seeks to counter threats from Hamas and Hezbollah.

Developments in Israel

Protests in Israel have demanded a ceasefire to secure the captives' release, with criticism aimed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for its handling of the situation. Tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon have escalated amid near-daily border clashes since the conflict in Gaza began on October 7.

On 13 August, Israeli crowds, led by far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during a Jewish holiday, performing prayers despite the prohibition of Jewish religious rites at the site. Israeli police provided protection for the crowd, which included over 2,000 Israelis singing hymns. This event drew criticism from the U.S. and the United Nations, which condemned Ben-Gvir's actions as provocative and detrimental to ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

Israel in mid-August approved a new illegal settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister, announced the establishment of the Nahal Heletz settlement in Gush Etzion, a bloc of settlements south of Jerusalem. He asserted that Israel would continue to develop settlements despite international condemnation, claiming that it opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state.

All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are deemed illegal under international law. The project is seen as a significant encroachment on Palestinian land, which has dwindled to nearly 10% of its original size. The new settlement, covering 60 hectares (148 acres), received preliminary approval in June and is situated between Gush Etzion and Bethlehem. The anti-settlement group Peace Now condemned the plan as a “wholesale attack” on the culturally significant area known for its ancient agricultural terraces. They warned that the settlement poses an imminent threat to a region of high cultural value. A European Union report indicated that Israel advanced plans for 12,349 homes in the occupied West Bank last year, marking the most significant development in three decades.

The United States on 28 August imposed sanctions on an Israeli settler group, Hashomer Yosh, and Yitzhak Levi Filant, a security guard in the Yitzhar settlement, amid rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Hashomer Yosh, accused of preventing displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes, had previously raised funds in the US. Filant was sanctioned for setting up roadblocks and attacking Palestinians. The sanctions froze their US assets and barred financial transactions with them. The move comes after increasing settler violence, including a recent attack near Bethlehem that killed a Palestinian. Palestinian advocates have criticized Israel for rarely prosecuting settlers involved in such violence.

US Attack on Islamic State (IS) Targets

The US military reported that 15 IS fighters were killed in a joint raid with Iraqi security forces in western Iraq. The operation, conducted on 29 August, involved airstrikes and ground action targeting IS hideouts, resulting in the seizure of weapons, documents, and explosives. Key IS leaders were among the dead, according to Iraq’s military.

Seven U.S. soldiers were injured in the raid, with five wounded in combat and two injured in falls. CENTCOM emphasized that IS remains a regional and global threat, and the U.S. will continue to pursue the group with its coalition partners. Talks about the U.S.-Iraq security mission are ongoing, with no conclusion expected before the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Upcoming Tunisia Elections

A Tunisian court on 29 August upheld an appeal by former minister Mondher Znaidi, allowing him to run in the October 6 presidential election. The Administrative Court overruled the Independent Higher Election Authority (ISIE), which had disqualified Znaidi due to insufficient ballot signatures. This decision adds Znaidi to a list of opposition candidates that includes Abdelattif Mekki and Ayachi Zammel.

The court’s ruling may intensify the race, challenging President Kais Saied, who is seeking a second term after his 2021 power grab. Critics accused Saied of using intimidation to ensure his re-election, while the ISIE denies the allegations. Meanwhile, an appeal by jailed candidate Abir Moussi was rejected.

Vladimir Putin’s Meeting with Mahmoud Abbas

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern over the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza during a meeting in Moscow, to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on 13 August. Putin reiterated Russia's support for a two-state solution and acknowledged the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Palestine. He noted that Russia is closely monitoring the situation, stating, "We are watching with great pain and anxiety the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Palestine."

The meeting comes amid rising tensions in the region, as Israel braces for possible retaliatory attacks from Iran and Hezbollah following recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Russia has aimed to maintain good relations with both Palestinian factions and Israel but has faced criticism from Israel for hosting Hamas delegations and highlighting the suffering in Gaza, where nearly 40,000 people have been killed due to Israel's military actions. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov called for restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further into a regional disaster.

Sudan Talks

A new round of talks aimed at ending a 16-month civil war in Sudan has commenced in mid-August in Switzerland, despite the absence of army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. His refusal to join the U.S.-led negotiations has dampened hopes for progress in resolving the conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo. Fighting has persisted since April 2023, leading to significant humanitarian crises in the region.

U.S. mission representatives confirmed that the talks had begun, although the Sudanese army remains non-participatory. Al-Burhan reiterated that military operations would continue until all RSF forces withdraw from civilian areas, accusing them of violating previous agreements aimed at de-escalation. The RSF has sent a delegation to the negotiations and expressed willingness to pursue peace if the army engages in discussions. Representatives from Egypt, the United Nations, the African Union, and the UAE were also present in Geneva.

The conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 10.7 million people, with 2.3 million seeking refuge in other countries. UN officials have warned of a looming humanitarian disaster, predicting preventable deaths from hunger, disease, and violence if fighting persists.