Brewing troubles

Even though Israel and Iran have signalled their intention to walk back down the escalation ladder following their limited but direct ‘tit-for-tat’ strikes against each other since April 13, the world remains on edge due to concerns about the conflict swarming the entire Middle East. A crucial energy supplier and a key shipping passageway, the region has been in the headlines since the beginning of Israel’s assault on Gaza after Hamas attacked the Jewish state on Oct 7. Ever since, Israel has laid a siege on the Gaza Strip and massacred more than 34,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children, besides causing widespread devastation and hunger. Half of the Gaza population “is experiencing catastrophic hunger as the threat of famine looms”, the United Nations (UN) says, with Israel planning a ground operation in Rafah.