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(noun) armed conflicts between countries or groups
In the Middle East, 2024 will go down as one of the most destructive years in modern history. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced from their homes. An unimaginable number of lives have been lost.
The massacre began in 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel in 2013. Since then, the gun has rarely been silent.
Israel’s thunderous assault on Hamas-controlled Gaza has killed more than 44,000 people and turned the besieged land into a desert.
After October 7, the militant movement Hezbollah, allied with Hamas, began firing into Israel, as another front opened up on the border between Israel and Lebanon. Militants from an Iranian-backed coalition, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, have launched missiles, rockets and drones at Israel. Meanwhile, the Israeli army and Jewish settlers have stepped up their attacks and occupation of the occupied West Bank.
As the conflict continues to escalate, Iran and Israel exchanged direct fire for the first time in April. They repeated the act in October, with even greater brutality.
A month ago, Israel intensified its attacks against Hezbollah. He killed leader Hassan Nasrallah, launched airstrikes in Lebanon and invaded the south of the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bragged that he was changing the “balance of power in the region for years.”
In the year On November 27, a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah. But this still did not silence the gun. Both sides accused the other of breaching the settlement agreement. Israel continues to bomb southern Lebanon.
Hours after the ceasefire came into effect, another battle erupted, with Syrian rebel attacks rupturing years of conflict. In less than two weeks, dictator Bashar al-Assad was ousted, sparking hope and excitement — but bringing even more uncertainty.
