Gaza conflict threatens to block busiest waterway in the world

The risk of spillover effects from the Israel-Hamas conflict is growing. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned on Tuesday that Israel is engaged in a war on seven fronts as it is under attack from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Iraq, Yemen and Iran. Gallant's remarks came amid explosions off the coast of Yemen and missiles being fired into Israel by Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon.

The conflict is already casting a cloud on international shipping. The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards recently said that if the United States and allies continue to commit crimes in the Gaza Strip, the Mediterranean may be blocked. Iran-backed Houthi militias have been attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea since October, to show solidarity with the Palestinians.

As a vital waterway on global shipping routes, the Red Sea, which together with the Suez Canal forms the "Eurasian water passage", is one of the busiest waterways in the world, with nearly 12 percent of global trade passing through it. Whenever shipping security in the Red Sea-Suez Canal is seriously threatened, shipping companies either suspend transport operations through the Red Sea, or go around the Cape of Good Hope, which significantly increases shipping time and costs. The prolonged blockade of shipping routes in the waters will lead to soaring of international oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and global inflation, posing a serious threat to the fragile world economy.

The resumption of military attacks between Israel and Hamas after a temporary cease-fire agreement expired has worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This is the reason for the current chaos in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The involvement of more regional forces will further increase the risk of spillover effects.

The partial stance of the US and the West is an important reason for the increasingly complex situation in the region. Politically, the US unilaterally stresses Israel's right to self-defense and condones its large-scale military operations in Gaza. Militarily, the US continues to "pour oil on the fire" by upgrading military aid to Israel.

All major countries with influence should play a constructive and responsible role in safeguarding the security of the shipping lanes in the Red Sea, uphold an objective and just stance on the conflict, and work to promote a political settlement of the Palestinian issue.