The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has for some time threatened to invade Hamas’ last stronghold in Rafah, an area near the Egyptian border where more than 1 million Gazans have taken refuge. announced that they would not comply. He threatened to give hostage negotiations at least until March 10, the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, for hostage negotiations to be successful. This delay is also seen as relatively good news, given the potential for even more civilians to suffer if Israel launches such an operation.
For now, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments about Operation Rafah may be aimed at pressuring Hamas officials to reach an agreement. But it also made his intentions clear, reflecting Israel’s determination to inflict such a crushing blow on Hamas that it could never repeat its heinous October 7 attack on Israeli civilians. represents. Still, how did the IDF successfully distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters, evacuate refugees to Gaza’s shattered north, and use Rafah to inflict damage on Hamas without causing another humanitarian disaster? It is not at all clear that China will be able to coordinate its military operations. It is therefore necessary and appropriate for the Biden administration to urge caution and insist that Israel present a credible plan to limit harm to civilians.
Of course, there would be no need for a Rafah attack or hostage negotiations with Hamas. Hamas should seek a solution to the Gaza conflict that aims to free the hostages captured in clear violation of the laws of war and prevent further tragedy for the Palestinian people; would have to abandon that claim. But since October 7, Hamas leaders have prioritized their own political and ideological prerogatives over the lives of Gazans. Nevertheless, President Biden insists that Israel acts with restraint and in accordance with international law, and uses U.S. influence as Israel’s main military backer to ensure that happens. correct.
On the other hand, the regime has a good general concept of talks, a temporary ceasefire that could create the conditions for a long-term ceasefire. The release of the Israeli hostages would in itself be a humanitarian victory and halt Israeli aggression. The daily death toll of Palestinians remains too high, but it is down compared to the early days of Israel’s massive airstrikes in Gaza, reflecting private and increasingly public pressure from the Biden administration on Israel. There is a possibility that However, severe shortages and dire conditions remain, which could be improved by a negotiated suspension of fighting.
Even if the chances are low, a long-term settlement would be even better. Hamas has called for a short-term suspension to lead to talks towards a permanent ceasefire. This is, at least in theory, consistent with the intentions of the Biden administration, which hopes the six-week suspension will lay the groundwork for a long-term solution that could include peace talks and an eventual Palestinian state. The best hope is that by softening Israeli opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, Arab governments will be given the space to provide financial and political support to rebuild Gaza economically and politically without Hamas. is.
Mr. Biden is in a difficult position, dealing with a divided political coalition at home, Arab governments wary of making too many concessions to Israel, and Mr. Netanyahu, who continues to tout his opposition to a Palestinian state. The best option for the president is to use his influence to pressure Arab governments to rely on the unjust Hamas or stand by, and to force the Israeli government to scale back its large-scale operations and airstrikes. , to put pressure on people to choose more targeted actions. The administration was right to intensify its rhetoric against new Israeli settlements in the West Bank and to elicit commitments from Israel not to permanently expel Palestinians from Gaza or reoccupy the enclave. There are many possibilities for the situation in Gaza to worsen in the coming days. But the only way to prevent that from happening is a deft American leadership that recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself but insists clearly and frequently that its military operations meet high standards.