A precarious ceasefire proposal for the war-ravaged Gaza Strip is now before the UN Security Council, as deadly clashes between Israeli forces and Iranian-backed militias raise the risk of a wider Middle East conflict. Over 100 aid trucks enter Gaza daily, but humanitarian organizations say the volume remains ‘entirely inadequate’ for the devastated population, with distribution often blocked by ongoing fighting.
Israel-Iran Flashpoint
The latest hostilities were triggered by Israeli ‘Operation Rising Lion’, which targeted Iran’s nuclear and military sites with strikes on Tehran, Natanz, Tabriz, and Kermanshah. Iran retaliated with missile waves under ‘Operation True Promise 3’, causing explosions over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The tit-for-tat assaults have re-ignited debate over nuclear proliferation and regional stability.
India and Global Supply Chains
India, a major importer of West Asian oil, watches anxiously as conflict disrupts sea lanes critical to its energy security and exports. Indian authorities have urged all parties to restore calm, warning that escalation could hit inflation and the economic recovery. The crisis has heightened diplomatic efforts, with global powers pressing for a deal while preparing for potential supply shocks and refugee flows.
The Wider Impact
Analysts caution that 2025 could see further proxy battles across Lebanon, Syria, and the Red Sea corridor. The outcome of current UN-led talks will shape not just the fate of Gaza, but the direction of Middle East politics and world security for years to come.
