Wofford professors: Israeli ground invasion in Gaza Strip could spark escalation

Three Wofford College professors tracking Israel's war with Hamas say the U.S. probably will not send ground troops unless Israel's ground invasion into Gaza sparks an escalation of the Middle East conflict.

"I don't think we're going to put our own boots on the ground," said Victoria Gilbert, assistant professor of government and international affairs at the Spartanburg college. "It will further inflame and galvanize people."

William DeMars, professor of government and international affairs at Wofford, said if Iran ignores U.S. warnings to not escalate, it could lead to further U.S. response, which may include troops in addition to special forces.

"(Biden) will have to respond or lose credibility throughout the world," DeMars said. "It's very dangerous, not just because of regional stability, but if you look at the globe, Israel and Gaza are not far from Ukraine, and Russia is in Syria near the Israeli border."

Rev. Ron Robinson, professor of religion at Wofford, said he is now teaching peace and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa.

"It is weighing heavily on students," he said of the Israel-Hamas war. "Our students realize that all Palestinians are not part of Hamas."

Fearing for family in Gaza, West Bank: Palestinian-Americans in SC rally in Greenville

As of Monday, Oct. 23, the death toll in the Gaza Strip reached nearly 5,100 and more than 15,273 people have been injured, according to the United Nations.The U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported some 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, most from the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.

OCHA said the death toll is “over threefold the cumulative number of Israelis killed” since it began recording casualties in 2005.

The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that 222 families of hostages have been notified, including "quite a few" foreign nationals. The total rose from 212 on Sunday.

Two U.S. hostages in Gaza were released by Hamas Friday night, Oct. 20, but 10 additional Americans remain unaccounted for.

For the latest updates, check here.

Some students obsessing over Iran-Hamas war coverage

Gilbert, who is currently teaching Mideast Politics at Wofford, said some of her students are obsessed with all news related to the Israeli war with Hamas, while other students are barely paying any attention to it.

"We're starting to see discussion of what is the right response," she said. "A big question for me at this point is, after Israel completes operations, what will become of the people of Gaza? Who is going to step in and rebuild this enclave? Egyptians are not going to accept (displaced Palestinians)."

Iran has been accused of backing Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, as well as the Lebanon militant group Hezbollah. Both Hamas and Hezbollah have long been enemies of Israel.

Gilbert said at present, she'd be surprised if Iran got directly involved in the conflict because Israel is much stronger militarily and has nuclear weapons, which Iran does not yet have.

She said Iran's interest in helping Hamas is to prevent Saudi Arabia from normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel.

DeMars: Iran opposes Saudi-Israel alliance

DeMars also said Iran is strongly opposed to a Saudi-Israeli alliance, which the U.S. supports.

Iran is mostly comprised of Shia Muslims and most Palestinians are Suni Muslims, he said. Also, Iran is aligned with Hezbollah in Lebanon, because it is comprised mostly of Shia Muslims.

However, DeMars said despite their differences, Shiites and Sunnis share a common interest in viewing Israel as their enemy.

"Both want to break up the possibility of getting Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel," DeMars said. "Palestinians also want that."

DeMars said by sheer numbers, the taking of hostages of men, women and children by Hamas is "an unprecedented scale."

"A strong, maybe over-reaction by Israel could bring Hezbollah — another friend of Iran — into the war, as well as Palestinians and militias in Syria," he said.

DeMars said the U.S. has already sent aircraft carriers to the region. On Saturday, the U.S. announced it activated the deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery as well as additional Patriot battalions to locations throughout the region.

Robinson: Students concerned about aid to Palestinians

Robinson said students are concerned about the blockage of aid to Palestinians by Hamas. And they're also aware of the pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests pitting people, including politicians, against one another.

"Hamas did a terrible thing and there's a response," Robinson said. "But we have to look to a better, brighter future where a new way can be negotiated. There needs to be other voices .... I'm pretty sure our politicians are not the best example for our young people."

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Wofford professors: College students informed about Israel-Hamas strife