### Middle East Conflict: A Year of Violence and Unresolved Tensions

Over the past year, the Middle East has been engulfed in a wave of violence, exposing the region's deep-seated political, strategic, and religious divisions. The conflict, fueled by long-standing issues, has resulted in the reshaping of regional politics yet again.

The conflict reached a new peak following a brutal offensive by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis, mainly civilians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks as unprecedented in brutality, a sentiment echoed by his statement to President Joe Biden. However, since then, Israeli retaliations have devastatingly impacted Gaza, resulting in the deaths of nearly 42,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The extensive destruction has led Palestinians to accuse Israel of genocide.

The one-year mark since the Hamas offensive finds the Middle East teetering on the brink of an even broader and more destructive war. The past year has dismantled many assumptions. One such belief was Netanyahu's notion that the Palestinian issue could be managed without conceding to their demands for self-determination. This approach also dashed the hopes of Israel's Western allies, including the US and UK, who believed Netanyahu could be persuaded to support a Palestinian state for peace.

Netanyahu's refusal to entertain Palestinian independence quashed an ambitious American peace plan proposed by President Biden. The "grand bargain" envisioned Israel receiving full diplomatic recognition from Saudi Arabia in exchange for recognizing Palestinian statehood, coupled with a US security pact for Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu and his ultra-nationalist cabinet allies, however, perceived Palestinian statehood as a significant reward for Hamas and a severe threat to Israel.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, presumed to be hiding in Gaza, failed in his expectation that Iran's "axis of resistance" would fully support a war against Israel. His secretive planning left even some within his organization in the dark, leading to an offensive that surprised both the enemy and some allies.

Iran, meanwhile, opted to avoid a wider conflict, even as Israel launched a sweeping offensive against Hezbollah. Strikes on Lebanon's southern suburbs and the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah marked a significant blow to Iran's strategic network. Despite Israel's efforts, Iran has not been deterred, pushing back by attacking Israel with ballistic missiles on October 1.

Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, illustrates the conflict's devastation. Attacked by Hamas on October 7, 62 residents were killed, and the community remains largely uninhabited a year later. Ruined homes now serve as memorials, their former inhabitants' names and photos on display. Survivor Zohar Shpak, who showed journalists around, spoke of the ongoing trauma and a yearning for a peaceful future.

As the conflict continues, the stories of victims and hostages remain fresh in Israeli media. For many, like Zohar, the hope for peace endures amidst the ongoing war. "We are still inside the trauma," he reflects, longing for a victory that would see him living peacefully with his family.