Acting out the script of The Islamic State.

by Eze Eluchie

The initial kidnap and murder of 3 Israeli Jews (Naftali Fraenkel, Gil-Ad Shaer and Eyal Yifrah), was claimed by a little-known group by the name ‘The Islamic State’ – Hamas, most uncharacteristically, denied involvement in the dastardly act;

The retaliatory kidnap and murder of a Palestine youth (Muhammad Abu Khdeir) was similarly, most sinister and devilish. Ordinarily the retaliation took out the wind from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s railing to ensure that the perpetrators of the kidnap and murder of the 3 Jewish youths were brought to justice, even if it meant razing all of Gaza.

How did the region descend to the current spate of bombardments resulting in the death of over 100 Palestine civilians?

Israel and Hamas (and gradually, the broader Arab and Islamic populations) are gradually being enticed into a war both sides did not plan or prepare for, and I suspect least have any idea as to how it will roll out or eventually end, or what will translate as ‘victory’ for either side.

Who stands to gain from the present face-off in Gaza? The entity which at the very onset claimed to have instigated the crisis – The Islamic State!

With a continuation and broadening of the conflict beyond Gaza, The Islamic State would have created sufficient diversionary cover to allow it to continue to consolidate and expand its scope of influence beyond its present territory straddling Iraq and Syria, probably inching into Jordan and improbably, Saudi Arabia. The longer the present conflict in Gaza lasts, and as the death toll of children and women and non-combatants in Gaza continue to escalate, the easier it will be for the Islamic State to justify its existence and need for support from millions of Muslims across the world.

The ongoing indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza is despicable, unwarranted and uncalled for – it certainly cannot be called a ‘war’.  The retaliatory missile attacks by Hamas into Israel ought to cease forthwith.

The only winner from the ongoing conflict will be Abu Bakar al-Bagdadi and his Islamic State. Israel and Hamas/the Palestinians are apparently playing out a devious script crafted by The Islamic State. 

Picture: Abu Bakr al-Bagdadi, leader of the Islamic State