Escalating Gaza Conflict Sparks Fear and Apprehension Among Israelis and Palestinians

The author shares their recent experiences in southern Israel near the Gaza border, the West Bank with Jewish settlers, and attending the funeral of Palestinian men killed by the Israeli army. They also mention conversations with Israeli and Palestinian officials. However, they note that they were unable to enter Gaza. More people have been killed in the past few weeks than during the entire second Palestinian uprising. The author observes a sense of fear and uncertainty replacing the usual routines of the conflict. The article briefly explains the history of the occupied Palestinian territories and the 1967 war that shaped the current conflict. The author believes that a major explosion was imminent, and they felt it might have begun during the violence surrounding the US embassy's move to Jerusalem. The article discusses the ongoing tensions and the lack of progress in the peace process. The author warns of a potential eruption of rage once the conflict subsides and predicts a change in government leadership. They also mention the presence of hostages and the dilemmas facing Prime Minister Netanyahu. The article describes the tense atmosphere in the West Bank and the fears on both sides of another catastrophe like the Nakba. The author concludes by highlighting the shared history and dread of a worsening situation between Israelis and Palestinians.