The Israel Palestine conflict has a huge potential to escalate into a regional war.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has the potential to escalate into a regional war, drawing in other nations in the Middle East.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has the potential to escalate into a regional war, drawing in other nations in the Middle East. Here are some ways in which the conflict could escalate:

1. Involvement of other nations: Hamas has allies in Syria and Lebanon, and Iran is its de-facto paymaster. Israeli forces have already launched rockets into southern Lebanon, targeting sites it said belong to the Iranian-affiliated armed group Hezbollah which, like Hamas, has the explicit aim of destroying Israel. If Israel's neighbours, many of whom are latently or overtly hostile to the Israeli state, get involved, the conflict could escalate into a wider regional war.

2. Destabilization of the region: The conflict could destabilize the region and threaten the delicate balance of interests of regional players. An escalation in the conflict would upturn a fragile period of regional calm which witnessed a détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and Israel’s increasing normalization with key Arab states.

3. Mounting regional tensions: Allegations of Israel bombing a hospital in Gaza on 17 October highlight the intensely febrile environment. A full Israeli land incursion, and the violence that would then engulf Gazans, would dramatically intensify this anger, which is also being directed at the US and Europe given their strong alignment with Israel.

4. Iran's involvement: Iran's proxies in Iraq and Syria have already attacked US forces, and if Hamas is in danger of defeat in Gaza, Iran could unleash its Lebanese Hezbollah militia, which is the most powerful and well-armed force in the regime’s proxy network. Israel would then face a two-front war, which would stretch its military and possibly force the US to consider weighing in with airstrikes to back up Israeli troops

Preventive diplomacy is needed to avoid a wider conflict, and regional players are keen to avoid a destabilizing conflict which would threaten their own interests