The recent spate of Israeli victories has left the impression that Israel is now the military and political hegemon in West Asia and can shape the region to suit its preferences — the near decimation of Hezbollah’s military wing in Lebanon; the overthrow of the Assad regime leading to extended Israeli control of Syrian territory; the total devastation of Gaza and the drastic reduction of Hamas’s military capabilities, and, above all, the near total destruction of Iran’s nuclear weapons capability albeit with American help.

The fragile ceasefire imposed by United States President Donald Trump in Gaza last week adds to this impression because of his accompanying harsh rhetoric, publicly warning Hamas about the devastating consequences that it may face if it rejects his plan. To the uninitia

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