Israel seems one more step ahead towards its strategic ambition of Greater Israel. The Israeli invasion of Syria came in the backdrop of fall of Bashar-al-Assad’s oppressive regime and power overhaul by the armed opposition of Abu Muhammad Al Julani. Although, Assad’s regime was a 24-year tyrannical period suffered by the people of Syria, yet shift of power to armed opposition and invasion led by Israel has not brought a moment of peace with it. Israel’s brutality and inhumane practices are known worldwide; their continuous bombing has caused extensive sufferings in Syria, be it human or infrastructure.  The question arises which state will be next? Will Israel continue to infringe states’ sovereignty without being held accountable to anyone?

The already complex and deteriorated security landscape of the middle eastern region will exacerbate. A region, already plagued by competing interests and unresolved disputes would further fall prey to foreign invasions and involvement, as it has been since decades. The world has seen in the past, the horrific events and consequences that are created with the foreign invasions and contending interests of regional and major powers in the region. A single state under foreign occupation can cause spill-over effect and hold potential to cause instability in the region, whilst middle east is currently plagued with Israel’s foray of three states in a row, simultaneously.

The regional competitors such as Iran and Saudi Arabia are jockeying hard for maximizing their spheres of influence. Both are closely watching the moves of Israel, busy in destabilizing the region while keeping an eye on Syrian internal conflicts. Thus, Israel’s invasion of Syria would give an open invitation to other powers, already competing for their interests to asserting their influence in their own capacity and styles. Iran and Israel are traditional and arch-rivals whereas Saudi Arabia comes under the bloc of US and Israel. However, even KSA has condemned the transgression of Israel in the region, as it knows Israel’s ambitions might also aim to pursue Saudi land under the ambit of greater Israel. Thus, regional and major powers could be tested if Israel continues its actions.

Israel, under the banner of its own security, is violating others’ security while posing existential threats to their lives and lands. It has already topped the list of causing enormous humanitarian loss since past few decades and it will shamelessly continue its practices claiming to ensure its own safety. Moreover, Syria is still reeling from a civil rift that lasted over ten years, the surge in violence simply means millions of people will suffer even more. Civilian structures, already battered before the conflict, are attacked. For example, until now Israel has bombed Syria 400 times with additional launch of missile strikes. Furthermore, this may lead to same possible consequences what Gaza is currently faced with; deadly epidemics, famine and additional economic turmoil.

Middle east is already notorious for providing safe havens and nurturing non-state actors. Wars between states gives leverage to non-state actors to capitalize on their interests. At that continuation of the conflict militant groups like Hezbollah already established in Syria and Lebanon, Hamas in Palestine and other proxies of Iran would definitely increase their operations against Israel. This will compound the already devastated security apparatus of the middle east which would make it harder to secure a resolution. It implies that Syrian civil war could also be triggered once again. Thus, Middle east could become an inevitable breeding ground for the terrorist and extremist acts.

Besides humanitarian loss, Israel’s invasion and illegal occupation has also taken a huge economic toll in the occupied and under controlled territories. Syria, Lebanon and Gaza have already been grappling with a host of economic challenges due to foreign occupations, multi-faceted conflicts and civil wars, the recent invasion and bombing their critical infrastructures is an additional blow to their economies. These states, economically seem completely handicapped and may now depend solely on international assistance. It is estimated that alone Lebanon will be facing a minus 20% decline in its economic growth in the coming years, while the economic fallouts in Gaza and Syria will be amplified.  Such prolonged and incessant conflicts would push these and neighboring states into further economic despair.

Israel’s invasion in Syria after Gaza and Lebanon, is nothing but sheer violation of international law. Not only Israel has eroded territorial sovereignty and integrity of the occupied states, rather it has sabotaged them to an extent where the restoration of their stability, progress and security has become a distant dream, at least for near future. Undoubtedly, Israel is setting a dangerous precedent for other states with strategic ambitions alike. Through its actions, it is encouraging other hawks to use international law as per their feasibility to achieve their national interests. Israel justifies its action by blaming Iran for its established proxies in the middle east that are posing serious threats to its survival, whereas the horrific reality is otherwise for the people of the occupied states. But this is not something new that appeared on the curtain of international politics. This has happened in the past by U.S in Iraq on the pre-text of possessing ‘Weapons of mass destruction’, happening again and will continue to happen in future, if Israel remains unbridled by international community and especially the U.S.

The role of international community is seen critical yet non-compliant and limited. The devastated political and security situation of middle east and offensives carried out by Israel, is only a matter of priorities. The world has seen that how many times the UN General Assembly has passed resolutions for ceasefire in Gaza, the efforts of ICJ to stop Israel were also witnessed, but the super power’s vetoed interests did not align with that of the weaker states. Had there been any compliance to the international norms and laws by Israel and it held accountable for its multiple invasions, the situation would not have been aggravated to this point.

All eyes are on Israel whether it will stop here or move unaccountable to its next target in the region. Although, the geopolitical interests and division could further exacerbate the conflict yet the significance of diplomacy cannot be ignored. Further cascade of events must be prevented by the international diplomacy and meaningful compliance to international laws. However, this armistice must not be like the one happened between Israel and Hezbullah in Lebanon, where the former is just buying time to gather more strength and masculinity.