The Israel-Iran war following the Israeli attack on Iran on June 13, 2025 as well as the continuing Israeli genocidal actions in Gaza have become the biggest source of concern for all those who value peace and human life, even though other very troubling conflicts involving Ukraine and Russia, the conflicts in Sudan and elsewhere are also continuing.
A special feature of the Israeli attacks on Iran is that nuclear facilities including uranium enrichment facilities are particularly targeted. However a huge crisis can erupt in terms of the spread of radiation at the local level or over a much wider area, not necessarily confined by national boundaries, and the durability of its highly hazardous impact. The IAEA and the WHO have already expressed concern regarding these possibilities. The extent of possible harm can depend on several factors. The underground facilities may escape much harm from more ordinary attacks but if the USA brings in it bunker-buster bombs then the harm can be much more serious, also in terms of spread of radiation. If enriched uranium storages are hit by bombs and missiles, there can be serious implications.
Even without considering this special hazard, the destructiveness of this war if it continues can be very high as both sides have highly destructive weapons. Israel in particular can access even more destructive weapons from the USA and other western allies. However Israel is a much smaller country in size and population, and hence more vulnerable in this context. At the same time, Israel has nuclear weapons and this brings in a new dimension of destructive potential.
As civilian areas are also being attacked in this war in addition to military targets, the loss of life in this war can be very high. The density of population in Tehran is comparable to that of New York. While nearly 10 million people live in the city proper, the number of people living in the wider metropolitan area of Tehran is as high as about 17 million. The density of population in Israel at 440 persons per square kilometer compares with high density countries. However the population density in Tel Aviv district is as high as about 8600.
The population density of Gaza was close to 5900 about a year back. However as vast areas are being evacuated and with food availability being concentrated over small areas, actually the density of population in a few crowded areas just now is exceptionally high and the mortality from any air or other attack in such areas can be very high.
In fact in recent days the daily mortality in Gaza from violent attacks by Israel, when seen as a percentage of total population of Gaza, has been higher in Gaza than in any other present-day conflict zone. At the same time a large number of people including children are also perishing here due to starvation, denial of essential medical care and other basic needs including clean drinking water. What we have seen here is an unbearably sad and cruel situation of innocent people being killed in large numbers on daily basis in very tragic ways day after day for a long time and nothing effective being done at the international level to stop this.
There has been a lot of apprehension in recent times regarding the people of Gaza being displaced on a mass scale, pushed into Egypt or sent elsewhere. If this had been attempted earlier, this would have led to very widespread protests internationally. However with the Israel-Iran war getting the main attention now along with the possibilities of the USA’s more direct involvement in this war being discussed all the time, there is a possibility that the highly distressing and worsening situation may get less attention internationally than it would have received in more normal times. This is all the more reason why those who have been steadfast in standing up for justice to the people of Gaza should strive to keep alive their concerns at the international level in these crucial days so that perhaps the drift towards further worsening of injustice has some hope of being checked.
The most frequent question being asked today of course is regarding whether the USA will join the war more directly on the Israeli side, and if yes, to first extent. Those who can play an even small role in preventing this enlarging of this conflict should certainly try their best, as this widening of the conflict will be very destructive.
This apart, however, there are also other ways in which the conflict can escalate, and all escalations carry risk of greater destruction. After all, Iran does not share any border with Israel and so other countries like Iraq and Jordan can be caught up in the various missile and air attacks. The expulsion of the people of Gaza to Egypt or elsewhere can also ignite new flash-points, moving from West Asia to Africa. Hence the UNO as well as other forces of peace should make the best possible efforts for preventing any escalation, while at the same time also trying to end the Iran-Israel war as well as Israeli genocidal actions in Gaza as early as possible.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Saving Earth for Children, Man over Machine and A Day in 2071
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