It was a mistimed offensive by Israel in Rafah, which has given it control of the Egyptian border. There were indications that Hamas had agreed to the parameters of a truce that would see hostages released in return for the release of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons when the Rafah operation began.
The fact that Tel Aviv reportedly told the Biden administration that it would be a “limited operation” in order to reassure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against an attack on Rafah is not encouraging.Not even the US, Israel’s closest ally, is willing to accept that Israel can exercise self-control.
Not after Gaza was subjected to an unrelenting barrage by Israel in retaliation for Hamas’ October 7 offensive, which killed tens of thousands of Palestinians—the majority of whom were women and children—and forced more than two million more to flee their damaged homes. The sole path to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians who have evacuated Gaza south to what they thought was a safe spot to avoid the bombardment has now been barred by Israel: Rafah.
Source: Hindustan Times
Following evacuation orders from Israel, thousands of people in Rafah were also forced to leave their homes.The ceasefire’s conditions and the remaining differences between the two parties are being laboriously negotiated by mediators, but Israel’s actions are endangering the negotiations. Israel is unwilling to back down, even though the US and other western nations that support it are growing impatient and the International Court of Justice has categorically declared that Israeli activities in Gaza meet all the criteria for a genocide.
The publics of many of these nations, which are in election years, are outraged by the support that their governments have shown to Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu. US Ivy League colleges have erupted in protests evocative of the anti-Vietnam War movement and calls for a ceasefire.
Source: Hindustan Times
University administrations’ attempts to quell the demonstrations by branding them as “anti-Semitic” haven’t succeeded in quieting those who believe Israel has gone beyond what constitutes legitimate self-defence or even engaging in battle. Even college students can recognize the horrifying contradiction between the US funding Israel’s war on the one hand, and providing relief to its victims on the other, when the Biden administration begs Israel not to invade and block the only route to provide humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
It is obvious that Netanyahu’s favoured means of assuring his own survival in government is to continue the conflict. Leaders throughout the world need to make it apparent that he cannot carry on in this manner. Israel and Hamas must act promptly to achieve a truce by taking all necessary measures.
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