Israeli-Palestinian conflict is still one of the longest-running conflicts in the world Statehood, boundaries, refugees, security, and authority over East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank are at the centre of it all. On October 7, 2023, Hamas began enormous strikes on Israel, killing almost 1,200 people and capturing hostages, precipitating a dramatic escalation of the conflict. In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign in Gaza, which has since grown into one of the bloodiest wars of the twenty-first century. .
Ground Reality in 2025
- Deaths & Casualties: According to Gaza health authorities (quoted by the UN), as of mid-September 2025, more than 65,000 Palestinians had been recorded dead and more than 165,000 injured. These are the operational numbers that humanitarian organisations use, while verification is challenging.
- Hostages: Israel claims that just about 20 of the 48 hostages are still alive in Gaza.
- The state of Gaza: Schools, hospitals, and infrastructure are in ruins. There are frequent communications outages and conditions that are almost famine-like in northern Gaza.
Regional Spillover:
- Lebanon: Thousands are being displaced in south Lebanon as a result of ongoing exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah.
- Red Sea/Houthis: 22 people were hurt in Eilat on September 24, 2025, by a Houthi drone strike.
UN Developments and Diplomacy
- Ceasefire efforts: The United States presented a 21-point Middle East peace plan at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. However, Israel and Hamas continue to disagree on the order of events—withdrawal, ceasefire, or captive release.
- Palestine Recognition: Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia all acknowledged Palestine as a state in 2024. These were rejected by Israel as “meaningless.”
Bid for UN membership:
- The United States vetoed Palestine’s full UN membership in April 2024.
- With effect from September 2024, the UNGA improved Palestine’s procedural rights in May 2024.
- September 2025: A resolution calling for a permanent truce was once again vetoed by the United States.
International Law & Courts
ICJ (World Court) Advisory Opinion- July 19, 2024:
It encouraged all nations to refrain from recognising or supporting Israel’s occupation and declared it illegal.
The Hague’s ICC:
- November 21, 2024: Arrest warrants for suspected war crimes have been filed against Hamas commanders, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Judges at the ICC denied Israel’s request to revoke the warrants on July 16, 2025.
Humanitarian Snapshot As of September 17, 2025:
- There were around 65,062 Palestinian deaths.
- 165,697+ were injured.
- 48 hostages in Gaza (around 20 of them are still alive).
- Children Affected: According to UNICEF/Lancet reports, women and children make up the majority of the casualties.
The Position of India
India strikes a balance between its support for Palestinian self-determination and counterterrorism concerns:
- condemned Hamas assaults on October 7.
- repeatedly demanded a negotiated two-state solution, the liberation of captives, and unrestricted humanitarian supplies.
- MEA declarations from 2024–2025 reaffirmed that the only way to guarantee long-term stability is for Palestine to be an independent state living in peace with Israel.
The Palestine issue in 2025 is at a dangerous stalemate—military escalation in Gaza, diplomatic deadlock at the UN, and widening regional conflict. International law (ICJ/ICC) is tightening pressure, but realpolitik (U.S. vetoes, Israeli security stance, Hamas’s conditions) stalls progress. For India, balancing its strategic ties with Israel and historic support for Palestine remains central.
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About the Author: Jyoti Verma
