Wider conflict could erupt in Middle East, according to UN expert in Bucks
The conflict escalated with Iran's attempt to launch a drone attack
Last updated 16th Apr 2024
An expert in international conflict and the United Nations in Buckinghamshire has shared concerns the war between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a wider conflict in the Middle East.
While leaders around the world have been urging for a ceasefire, and others have been supplying firearms to Israel, the latest step in the conflict could see the war cross borders.
Last Saturday, Iran launched a drone attack on Israel, before all weapons were intercepted by armed forces, including the RAF.
World leaders have been urging Israel not to retaliate after Iran launched an attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
The Iranian attack on Saturday marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The attack happened less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.
Director of UN Studies at the University of Buckingham, and former speechwriter for ex-UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Mark Seddon, said: "Many of us are concerned that actually what he is really seeking to do is to expand this war."
"He ordered the attack on a diplomatic mission in Damascus, belonging to Iran, and it is illegal under international law to attack diplomatic missions, but he did that and it was widely seen as a provocative act."
"I feel that actually Netanyahu wants to drag the United States into a wider war with Iran, if he can."
"I think that he will, if he can continue to ignore what the United Nations says, what the International Court of Justice says, what governments all over the world are saying."
The Israeli military says that 99% of the drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted, with the help of other countries including the United States, the UK and France.
Despite the reported interceptions, Iran has called the attack a success.
The Prime Minister has called on the Middle East to "show restraint" as a result of Iran's attempted attack on Israel at the weekend.
Rishi Sunak said he has been speaking to his Israeli counterpart to discuss how to "prevent further escalation".
Meanwhile Israel's military chief has said his country will respond to Iran's missile strike over the weekend.
The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others.