On a recent Wednesday, the 25th of October, US President Joe Biden made a striking statement connecting the dots between Hamas's assault on Israel and the proclamation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). This significant announcement came during the G-20 summit, which took place in New Delhi in September.

In a candid revelation, President Biden conveyed his belief, saying he is "convinced" that the aforementioned corridor's announcement might be one of the triggers behind the violent actions of the Palestinian Islamist terrorist group, Hamas, against Israel. However, in a move to maintain transparency, the President clarified that this perspective is not rooted in concrete evidence but is rather an instinctual feeling. He went on to specify that he currently holds no tangible proof to substantiate his claims.

While President Biden's remarks are sure to ignite discussions and speculations, it's crucial to remember that these are based on his personal insights and not on corroborated information. The global community awaits further developments and clarity on the situation.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), a pioneering initiative, is set to herald a new era of regional collaboration. Envisioned to forge stronger bonds between nations, the corridor will unite India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy, Germany, and the United States. This alliance signifies an ambitious commitment to connectivity, infrastructure development, and mutual prosperity.

While addressing the media on Wednesday alongside the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, President Biden shared his insights about the recent attack by Hamas on Israel. He emphasized, “I’m convinced one of the reasons Hamas attacked when they did — and I have no proof of this; just my instinct tells me — is because of the progress we were making towards regional integration for Israel and regional integration overall." He ardently voiced his belief in the importance of continuing the regional integration efforts, adding, "And we can’t leave that work behind.”

President Biden's words underscore the significance of the IMEEC and its potential role in shaping geopolitical dynamics. As the nations involved move forward with this monumental venture, the international community will be closely observing its unfolding implications.

On 20 October, in a significant revelation, US President Joe Biden associated the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) with the rationale behind the aggressive offensive by Hamas terrorists against Israel. “The United States and our partners across the region are working to build a better future for the Middle East, one where the Middle East is more stable, better connected to its neighbours, and — through innovative projects like the India-Middle East-Europe rail corridor that I announced this year at the summit of the world’s biggest economies. More predictable markets, more employment, less rage, less grievances, less war when connected. It benefits the people — it would benefit the people of the Middle East, and it would benefit us,” remarked Biden during a media interaction.

The President's words underscore the potential he sees in the IMEEC project. By highlighting the benefits of connectivity and cooperation through IMEEC, Biden expresses his belief that the initiative can usher in more predictability in markets, increased employment, and a drastic reduction in regional tensions. The statement aligns with his administration's broader vision of fostering global partnerships that lead to peace and prosperity for all parties involved.

In a major development during the G20 summit in September, a joint announcement was made by the leaders of the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union. This marked the birth of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), positioning it as a robust alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The IMEEC stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of these nations, aiming to enhance economic growth and development. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project elucidates its ambitious goal: to connect the vast expanses of Asia and Europe through innovative connectivity corridors. By bridging these two continents, the corridor seeks to tap into new avenues of economic potential, fostering intercontinental cooperation and shared prosperity.

IMEEC Development Progresses Despite Ongoing Hamas-Israel Conflict

Under the newly initiated India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), there are two prominent segments: the eastern corridor which seamlessly connects India to the Gulf region and the northern corridor bridging the Gulf with Europe.

In the backdrop of the Hamas-Israel confrontation, on October 23, the Indian government took a definitive step towards the realization of IMEEC, sanctioning a colossal budget estimated at Rs 3.5 lakh crore.

Speaking about the project, the finance minister emphasized, “IMEEC is India’s initiative, and this project is focused on the long term, with a significant impact. Short-term disruptions may raise concerns, but the nation will overcome them.” Concurrently, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav elaborated on the logistical aspects. He confirmed that the government is set to ramp up its investments to enhance connectivity to the eight pivotal ports. The vision is to ensure that goods from any corner of the country reach these ports within a tight 36-hour window, optimizing the accessibility to IMEEC and ensuring timely deliveries.

Ongoing Israel-Hamas War Marks Deadliest Chapter of Their Long-Standing Conflict 

Initiated on October 7, 2023, the Israel-Hamas war has escalated into one of the deadliest conflicts in their historical animosities. The unrest was triggered by a series of assaults initiated by Hamas, a Palestinian militant faction, from the Gaza Strip, targeting neighboring Israeli zones. These assaults resulted in the tragic death of more than 1,400 Israelis, with over 300 fatalities being members of the Israel Defense Forces.

Israel's response was swift and severe. In retaliation, they instigated a counter-attack on Gaza the following week. The Gaza Ministry of Health disclosed that the Israeli counter-offensive has led to the loss of over 5,000 Palestinian lives.

In a significant development, Israeli ground troops undertook a substantial incursion into the Gaza Strip, aiming at Hamas strongholds. As per the Israeli army, this offensive is a precursor to subsequent combat stages and is more extensive than any operations executed in recent weeks. Concurrently, as casualties from the Israeli airstrikes continue to surge, Gazans are resorting to burying unidentified victims in mass graves. The tombs are marked only with numbers instead of names, as reported by a media outlet.

An urgent warning was issued by the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, indicating that they would be compelled to significantly scale down their relief activities across the Gaza Strip without prompt fuel deliveries.

In terms of casualties, the ongoing conflict surpasses the fatalities of all previous Gaza wars. The Israeli raids have resulted in the death of approximately 6,500 Palestinians. On the Israeli side, Hamas has claimed over 1,400 lives. Additionally, more than 220 Israelis are currently held captive by Hamas. There was a slight glimmer of hope as four female hostages were released by Hamas earlier this week. One of the released hostages recounted her harrowing experience of being held in underground tunnels.

Arab Nations Voice Disapproval Over Civilian Casualties in Gaza | In a unified voice, foreign ministers from nine Arab nations - United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco - expressed their condemnation on Thursday regarding the targeting of civilians in Gaza and the breaches of international law amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Their collective statement emphasized that the principle of self-defense shouldn't be used as an excuse to violate the law or infringe upon Palestinian rights. Additionally, they criticized the practices of forced displacement and collective punishment in Gaza.

Turkey Calls on WHO for More Comprehensive Aid to Gaza | Turkey has called for more significant efforts from the World Health Organization (WHO) to cater to the medical needs of the Gazans impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, expressing dissatisfaction with the WHO's current measures, prompted the organization to step up its actions. In defense, the WHO asserted its commitment to delivering supplies to Gaza since the conflict began.

Turkey, a member of NATO, has already dispatched nine cargo planes filled with aid to Egypt for the Gaza Strip's benefit. Moreover, it has proposed the establishment of a field hospital in Egypt to aid the injured and has even offered to airlift some of the wounded to Turkey for treatment. The nation has been vocal about its criticism of Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory and is advocating for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate more humanitarian relief.

In a letter addressed to the WHO's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister Koca reminded him of the organization's duty to assist civilians. He urged for efforts that surpass what has already been accomplished. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, he wrote, "WHO, with its leadership responsibility and immediate initiatives, must ensure the safety of healthcare provisions in Gaza." This letter was later shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Erdogan Laments Western Indifference to Gaza Crisis | Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed his disappointment on Thursday, remarking that Western nations are showing a flagrant disregard for international law in the Gaza conflict. He postulated this indifference is because it's predominantly "Muslims' blood" being shed. Describing the Israeli actions in Gaza as "barbaric," Erdogan, in his address from the presidential palace, censured Western countries for their unwavering support of Israel rather than advocating for moderation.

Israel Anticipates Extended Recovery Period for its Southern Regions | In the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attack, Israel's southern communities are expected to face a lengthy recovery process, spanning several years, as stated by a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet on Thursday. Benny Gantz, a former general who teamed up with Netanyahu during this critical period, hinted that Israel's security measures would target threats beyond Hamas. Elaborating on the proposed strategy during his address, Gantz emphasized the importance of ensuring safety within the Gaza Strip's territory, declaring that the fight against terror would be multifaceted. While the ground operations constitute just one phase, other measures would encompass defense, diplomacy, and societal rebuilding, which would be prolonged. Despite political differences, Gantz praised the war cabinet's efficient functioning, stressing that decisions were made in the interest of the national emergency.

Israel-Taiwan Relations in the Spotlight Amid Gaza Conflict | Maya Yaron, Israel's representative in Taipei, commended Taiwan for its unwavering support during the ongoing conflict, calling it a "good friend" to Israel on Thursday. Although Israel doesn't maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, owing to China's claim over the territory, Taiwan perceives Israel as a significant democratic ally. Taiwan was swift to denounce the Palestinian Hamas militants' October 7th assault on Israel, expressing solidarity. Yaron appreciated the continuous support, especially from President Tsai Ing-wen, and highlighted her frequent interactions with the Taiwanese foreign minister during these challenging times. In contrast, Yaron described China's stance on the Hamas attacks as "disturbing". While China has criticized the violence and civilian casualties in the conflict, its foreign minister, Wang Yi, has categorized Israel's reactions as exceeding the bounds of self-defense, albeit without specifically naming Hamas in his statements.

United Nations Security Council Faces Dual Veto on Israel-Gaza Resolution | On Wednesday, both Russia and China exercised their veto power against a US proposition in the United Nations Security Council, aimed at the Israel-Hamas conflict. The US proposal called for temporary cessations in hostilities to facilitate humanitarian aid access, safeguard civilians, and halt armaments provision to Hamas and other factions within Gaza.

The draft resolution was presented by the US following an escalating global concern over the intensifying humanitarian predicament and rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Intriguingly, this came shortly after the US itself vetoed a humanitarian-focused draft by Brazil, stating that further time was required to facilitate U.S.-led diplomatic negotiations.

Diplomats expressed surprise at the initial wording of the US draft, which unequivocally stated Israel's right to self-defense and emphasized Iran's cessation of armament exports to militant entities. However, there was no mention of instituting humanitarian pauses. The final draft, which underwent voting, was noticeably milder.

Expressing her disappointment at the double veto, US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated, "We did listen to all of you." She emphasized resilience, adding, "Though today's vote was a setback, we must not be deterred."

Conclusion - UN Veto on Israel-Gaza: A Call for Israel's Right to Security

In the face of escalating tensions and humanitarian concerns in the Israel-Hamas conflict, the United States recently presented a resolution to the United Nations Security Council. This was a pivotal step underscoring Israel's inalienable right to self-defense, especially in the wake of severe militant attacks. The draft, though candid in its wording, was a testament to the need to uphold the sovereignty and security of nations under attack.

Despite the US's dedicated efforts to achieve a balanced approach by revising the draft to address global concerns, the double veto from Russia and China was disheartening. Such vetoes only serve to prolong the conflict and hinder potential diplomatic solutions.

The evolving scenario makes it clear: global diplomacy must recognize and uphold every nation's right to defend its citizens against external threats. Israel, amidst the complexities of the Middle East, deserves the international community's unequivocal support in its pursuit of peace and security. The recent vetoes underscore the challenges that lie ahead, but with resilience and international cooperation, a sustainable solution is attainable.