DSRS JU Organises a lecture on “Different Dimensions of Ongoing Israel-Hamas: Responses and Lessons Learnt”

The Department of Strategic and Regional Studies (DSRS), University of Jammu organised a lecture on “Different Dimensions of Ongoing Israel-Hamas: Responses and Lessons Learnt”, on 12th January, 2024 in the seminar hall of the DSRS. Lecture was delivered by the Senior Journalist Sh. Pradeep Dutta who has recently visited Israel and covered the war related events in the war affected areas.

          While explaining the reasons of war, Sh. Pradeep Dutta argued that Hamas was interested show its existence and also highlighted the Palestine issue as these had become insignificant in international relations in the recent times. Besides, Hamas had become unpopular in Gaza and was losing its influence in the area.  Hamas selected strategic timing of 7th October, 2023 for attack to contain the element of surprise as there was holiday in Israel, its intelligence agencies were not focusing on Hamas activities and, hence, were not aware of potential Hamas attack. Moreover, at that time, Israel was also suffering from internal problems. However, after the Hamas attack, Israel has responded to the attack the way a state responds to an attack on its territory and citizens by its adversaries.

Sh. Dutta talked about the cruelties committed by the Hamas against the innocent people and argued that both sides have faced huge causalities and destruction of the property. While talking about the gains of the war for Israelis, the Speaker opined that Hamas attack and war resulted from it has united the Israelis as the even the civilians are motivated to fight against the ‘Hamas terrorists’ and giving unconditional support to their security forces. Sh. Dutta also discussed China’s interests in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. He concluded that in the contemporary international relations “a war of narratives” is also happening. Hence, India should project its narrative in international relations to protect and promote its national interests.

The lecture was attended the faculty members Dr. Mohamad Monir Alam, Dr. Suneel Kumar, Dr. Surinder Mohan, Dr. Ganesh Malhotra and Dr. Ranjan Sharma alongwith research scholars and students of the Jammu University.