People protest against the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, on May 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Guo Yu)
MORE CHAOS AND UNCERTAINTY EXPECTED FOR MIDEAST
In keeping with the contradictions that define the region, TV broadcasts around the world showed split screens during the inauguration ceremony.
While Netanyahu was celebrating in Jerusalem, the other side of the screen showed large billows of smoke rising in the Gaza skyline.
The death toll keeps rising, with at least 61 Palestinians killed and about 2,800 injured in the Gaza Strip. This was the result of a violent clash with Israeli forces.
It was the culmination of weekly demonstrations being held in recent weeks aimed at what Hamas has called an attempt to end the blockade on Gaza.
There was worldwide condemnation of events on the border, with accusations that the Israeli military had used excessive force.
Israel left the Gaza Strip in 2005, but still retains control of its air and maritime space.
Together with Egypt, it maintains a strict blockade on the territory since 2007, when Hamas wrested power from the more moderate Palestinian faction, the Fatah.
Funerals for Gaza's dead will be held and probably fuel further protest.
Hamada Faraana, a Palestinian news analyst and author, believes the region can expect an upsurge in violence.
"Waves of popular Palestinian protests are expected to escalate in light of understandings between the Palestinian factions on the need to confront the U.S. step on Jerusalem in all possible ways," he told Xinhua.
So far, the West Bank and East Jerusalem have remained relatively calm.
Last week on the heels of what it viewed as a major policy success, the Israeli government rejoiced at the U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear plan.
Israeli air force planes conducted a strike on alleged Iranian military positions in neighboring Syria.
Chazan told Xinhua that the Israelis gloating may lead to more friction with the Palestinians, a scenario which could get out of hand.
The region, however, is used to the cyclical violence.
As the Israeli euphoria from the embassy move subsides, the Jewish state will find itself yet again dealing with a tricky and lethal situation that might last days or even months.
"One of the things we know about the Middle East is how unpredictable and unstable it is," said Steinberg.
