After 19 months of conflict that has killed 10s of thousands of Palestinians and drawn allegations of war criminal offenses versus Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is once more preparing to escalate Israels offensive in Gaza.The newest plan puts Israel on course for full occupation of the Palestinian territory and would drive Gazans into ever-narrowing pockets of the shattered strip.
It would cause more intensive battle and Israeli forces clearing and holding territory, while destroying what couple of structures remain in Gaza.This would be a disaster for 2.2 mn Gazans who have actually currently endured abstruse suffering.
Each brand-new offensive makes it harder not to presume that the ultimate goal of Netanyahus far-right union is to guarantee Gaza is uninhabitable and drive Palestinians from their land.
For 2 months, Israel has actually obstructed delivery of all help into the strip.
Kid malnutrition rates are increasing, the few working hospitals are lacking medication, andwarnings of starvationand illness are growing louder.Yet the United States and European nations that promote Israel as an ally that shares their values have actually provided barely a word of condemnation.
They ought to be ashamed of their silence, and stop allowing Netanyahu to show impunity.In quick remarks on Sunday, Donald Trump acknowledged Gazans were starving, and suggested Washington would assist getfood into the strip.
However, up until now, the United States president has just pushed Netanyahu.Trump returned to the White House promising to end thewar in Gazaafter his team assisted broker a January ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Under the offer, Hamas accepted free captives in stages, while Israel was to withdraw from Gaza and the foes were to reach a permanent ceasefire.But within weeks of the truce taking hold, Trump announced an extravagant plan for Gaza to be cleared of Palestinians and taken over by the US.
In March, Israel collapsed the ceasefire as it looked for to alter the terms of the offer, with Washingtons backing.Senior Israeli officials have since said they are executing Trumps plan to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza.
On Monday, far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said: We are finally going to inhabit the Gaza Strip.Netanyahu firmly insists a broadened offensive is needed to ruin Hamas and totally free the 59 remaining hostages.
The reality is that the prime minister has never ever articulated a clear strategy considering that Hamass October 7 2023 attack killed 1,200 individuals and set off the war.
Instead, he repeats his maximalist mantra of overall triumph while looking for to soothe his extremist allies to make sure the survival of his governing coalition.But Israel is also paying a cost for his actions.
The broadened offensive would imperil the lives of the captives, even more undermine Israels tainted standing and deepen domestic divisions.Israel has actually informed that the expanded operation would not start up until after Trumpsvisit to the Persian Gulfnext week, saying there is a window for Hamas to launch captives in return for a momentary truce.
Arab leaders are irritated by Netanyahus ruthless pursuit of dispute in Gaza yet they will fete Trump at lavish events with promises of multibillion-dollar investments and arms deals.Trump will put the onus on Hamas when speaking to his Persian Gulf hosts.
The groups murderous October 7 attack is what activated the Israeli offensive.
Persian Gulf mentions concur that its continued stranglehold on Gaza is an element prolonging the war.
They must stand up to Trump and persuade him to press Netanyahu to end the killing, lift the siege and return to talks.The global tumult triggered by Trump has already distracted attention from the disaster in Gaza.
Yet the longer it goes on, the more those who stay quiet or cowed from speaking up will be complicit.(Source: The Financial Times).
This post very first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times