Recent Developments in the Middle East Conflict

The Middle East conflict has experienced various significant developments in recent years. One of the main events was the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab countries. The Abraham Accords signed in 2020 have paved the way for cooperation in the fields of economics, defense and technology. The UAE and Bahrain were pioneers in this initiative, followed by Sudan and Morocco, although the reaction from the Palestinians remained adverse, claiming that the process ignored their aspirations. Apart from that, tensions between Hamas and Israel continue to be in the spotlight. Since violence erupted in 2021, the conflict scenario has become more complicated. Rocket attacks from Gaza and retaliatory airstrikes from Israel appear to be increasing, with a direct impact on civilians. The daily life of the Palestinian people in Gaza is increasingly difficult due to the prolonged blockade, while in terms of security, Israel continues to strengthen their borders. On the other hand, Iran’s role in this conflict is increasingly coming to the fore. Iran’s support for groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas has added to regional tensions. Iran’s foreign policy, oriented towards ideological expansionism, raises concerns among Gulf countries and Israel, which seek to anticipate Tehran’s moves in the region. Countries like Saudi Arabia also play an important role in this dynamic. Seeking to collaborate with Israel on security issues, Riyadh has an interest in curbing Iranian influence. However, at the same time, they are caught in the dilemma of not completely ignoring the Palestinian issue, which is still a major concern among Arab society. Another development is the strengthening of Türkiye’s position, which is increasingly active in defending the Palestinian position. Through humanitarian aid and diplomatic support, Türkiye seeks to attract international sympathy for the suffering of the Palestinian people. Türkiye also supports multilateral meetings to bridge dialogue between Palestine and Israel. From a social perspective, this conflict continues to influence daily life. Civil society caught up in the wave of violence found various ways to adapt, including through non-governmental organizations that sought to provide health and education assistance. Behind this tragedy, a spirit of international solidarity also emerged, with various campaigns supporting social justice. Thus, recent developments in the Middle East conflict reflect the complexity and depth of the problem that persists. From the normalization of relations to geopolitical dynamics between major countries, each element plays a role in shaping the future of this region. Diplomatic efforts and conflict resolution are still very necessary to achieve sustainable peace.