The escalating conflict between Hamas and Israel is not just a regional issue, but one that could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy, according to global business leaders. As the violence intensifies, concerns about its impact on the world economy are mounting.

Speaking at an investment forum in Saudi Arabia, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink cautioned that if the conflict is not resolved, it could lead to more global terrorism, insecurity, and fear. This, in turn, would have a negative impact on economies around the world.

Fink's sentiment was echoed by Kristalina Georgieva, head of the International Monetary Fund, who warned that tourism to the Middle East and insurance premiums on supply chain goods would be negatively affected.

Furthermore, the ongoing war has put major trade arteries in the region, such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz, at greater risk of being attacked. Any disruption to these crucial trade routes would have a significant and immediate impact on the global supply chain for energy and goods.

This was emphasized by Pat Thaker, director of the Middle East and Africa region at the Economist Intelligence Unit, who stated that any disruption to these trade arteries would create "major disruption" to supply chains for energy and goods.

According to a survey by Oxford Economics, 36% of companies cited cross-border tensions as the top risk to the global economy in the next two years, surpassing financial crises, inflation, and trade tensions. This is a worrying trend that could further destabilize the already volatile global economy.

The impact of the Hamas-Israel conflict is already being felt by businesses. In its recent earnings report, social media giant Snap revealed that some advertisers had paused their campaigns following the onset of the war. This shows that the conflict is not just a political and humanitarian issue, but one that has a direct impact on businesses and their operations.

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As the war continues, its ripple effect on the world economy is becoming more apparent.

Business and consumer confidence, as well as supply chains, are already being shaken, and the longer the conflict lasts, the greater the economic impact will be. It is time for world leaders to take swift action to de-escalate the situation and prevent further destabilization of the global economy.