Why China should focus on hostage crisis as Israel-Hamas conflict explodes

More than 100 people from Israel have been taken hostage by Hamas following their shocking attack over the weekend

Tackling this crisis would be a good move as China seeks a bigger role in the Middle East, aided by good channels of communication with major players

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Firefighters work to put out a blaze in an open field following a raid by Hamas gunmen from across the Gaza border, near a hospital in southern Israel on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:41pm, 10 Oct 2023

The shocking attack on Israel by Hamas fighters over the weekend has shattered many old beliefs, such as the fences guarding the border with Gaza were impenetrable and that the Israeli intelligence had a good grasp on the moves and capabilities of the Palestinian militant group.

It has also put Israel and its neighbours in an unprecedented situation. For the first time, more than 100 people from Israel – including women, children and the elderly – have been captured by Hamas after the militants poured across the Gaza border to raid an open-air music festival and nearby towns.

With so many hostages in the hands of Hamas, Israel is likely to be forced to launch a ground war into the Gaza Strip, a densely populated area of over 2 million, with Hamas fighters hidden in or near civilian facilities and residential areas.

Some media reports said the hostages had been scattered in different areas of Gaza, meaning ground operations to track and rescue them would not only be difficult, but also inevitably involve grave civilian and military casualties.

Qatar and Egypt – which shares a short border with Gaza – have already expressed a willingness to mediate to de-escalate the situation. After all, a flare-up of conflict in Gaza is more than an Israeli problem, it could easily ignite the Middle East tinderbox – with potential regional and international repercussions.

Both countries have reportedly been in contact with Hamas and Israel to try to prevent further escalation. Qatari officials are also said to be negotiating a potential prisoner swap for children and women taken hostage, though there has been no official confirmation of such reports.