An Iranian foothold in the Gaza Strip is unacceptable to the public

In light of the continuing and rising tension in the Gaza Strip, the most densely populated region in the world, and in light of recent regional developments and the increasing influence of the Hamas movement and its control over the Strip and its penetration into the West Bank, as part of the resistance program against the occupation, the phenomenon of openness by Hamas and expanding its relations in most parts of the Middle East, especially with its largest strategic ally, Iran.

Hamas took advantage of the recent Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, so its delegation visited Tehran and then Riyadh. The Hamas leadership succeeded in opening offices in Turkey, Lebanon, and Qatar previously, and restored its relations with Syria after a long freeze, in a way that demonstrated the ability of the Hamas movement to attract most of the political forces in the region and draw closer to them. But the most important strategic element in this new equation remains Iran, which Israel accuses of clearly supporting the Palestinian resistance in order to continue operations towards the occupying entity by supplying it with bombs, explosive devices and military equipment through bold smuggling attempts across the Palestinian-Jordanian border in a war that is still behind the scenes against the occupying entity. .

It was noted in the recent confrontations in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque that the missile response from the north through Syria and Lebanon was supported by Hamas, with clear Iranian support. This equation is worrying the Israeli side more than ever before, especially since the Iranian role and actions emanate from areas close to the entity, most notably Syria and Lebanon, where the strategic ally is Hezbollah.

But what about the foothold that Iran might establish in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank?

A very deep question, and its answer must stop when analyzing the Iranian position. Is there an interest for Tehran in opening fronts of attrition with the occupation from several locations, including the Gaza Strip?

There is no doubt that the recent developments on the scene lead us to the reasonableness of this option in relation to what Tehran is planning. Especially since the American role in the region is diminishing and the scene is changing. Hence, it is very possible for Iran to put its foot forward in the Gaza Strip, at least by employing elements of the resistance to form an army concerned with responding to the practices of the occupation, and which Iran supports consistently. This is something that would destabilize the entire region, especially within the Gaza Strip, which is searching for peace and security, protecting citizens, overcoming economic difficulties and poor living conditions, developing infrastructure, and seeking to open border crossings and move toward the outside world. But these hopes, which are always placed on the shoulders of war and confrontations in order to pressure Israel, are in vain, and today, for the second week in a row, the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing remains closed, thus preventing thousands of Gazan workers from the opportunity to obtain their livelihood.

The changing and volatile regional scene gives Iran today greater freedom and a wider space to continue disturbing the occupying entity and escalate the fuse of a possible military confrontation. Especially since it succeeded in strengthening Hamas’s relations with its first ally, Hezbollah, on the northern front, towards encircling Israel from various sides.

The presence of Iran in the region and its getting closer and closer to the Gaza Strip will have disastrous and difficult effects on the Strip that will destroy everything. The Hamas leadership must realize the reality of this danger, which will lead to great destruction.

It is clear that the people of Gaza will not accept this dangerous Iranian role because it will cause great harm to everything. It is in his interest for calm and peace to prevail in a region that is exposed at every moment to an open and comprehensive military confrontation. Even in light of the small battles, the Gaza Strip remains the weakest link, and therefore we expect that the people of Gaza will reject any possible change in the equation at a time when they are thinking about restoring what was destroyed by previous Israeli wars, healing their wounds, and catching their breath...