2024: A year of unrelenting conflict and shattered hopes for peace

From the bloodstained streets and ongoing devastation of Gaza to the conflict-ravaged regions of Ukraine, the world bore witness to relentless crises that fuelled geopolitical instability and displaced millions.

The Middle East, in particular, faced its darkest chapter in decades, with Gaza standing as a grim symbol of human anguish.

Since the Israeli offensive began on October 7, 2023, over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed, over 107,000 wounded, and approximately 1.9 million people -- a staggering 90 per cent of the population -- have been displaced, according to health authorities.

"The intensity of the conflict in Palestine--particularly in Gaza--and the continued absence of a ceasefire suggest that the violence is likely to persist well into 2025," according to ACLED, the leading provider of real-time data on political violence and protest worldwide.

High-profile assassinations of influential Hamas and Hezbollah leaders including Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif, Hassan Nasrallah, and Ali Karaki, have significantly escalated conflicts in the region and derailed crucial ceasefire negotiations.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply. The ongoing blockade has exacerbated shortages of essential goods and critical medical supplies, pushing the population further into despair.

In Lebanon, intensified clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have displaced over one million people and claimed more than 4,000 lives. Although a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France in November provided temporary respite, the underlying tensions persist.

In Syria, the Baath Party's 61 years of dominance ended dramatically as anti-regime forces seized Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee the country with his family.

In Ukraine, over 1,000 days of relentless fighting have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displacements, creating a deep humanitarian crisis.

While the conflicts raged on, there were small yet significant steps towards accountability. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in Gaza.

Prof Dr Mohd Mizan Mohammad Aslam of the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) emphasised the critical role of the international community in breaking the cycle of violence.

"Robust enforcement by mediators is essential to prevent agreements from becoming mere symbolic gestures. Trust-building measures must also be prioritised," he said.

Mohd Mizan said the scale of devastation in Gaza underscores the urgent need for an effective and enforceable ceasefire.

"Without international oversight, any truce remains vulnerable to collapse, worsening the humanitarian crisis," he said.

As the world reflects on the devastation of 2024, the outlook for 2025 remains grim.

In Myanmar alone, ongoing internal conflict has displaced an estimated 3.4 million people, according to UNHCR, deepening ethnic tensions and compounding humanitarian challenges.

--BERNAMA