After a 19-month conflict that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused accusations of war crimes against Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to escalate Israeli attacks in Gaza.
The latest plan will lead Israel to the course to fully occupy Palestinian territory, driving Gazan into a constant pocket of crushed strips. It leads to more intensive bombing and Israeli forces clean and retain the territory, destroying the few remaining structures in Gaza.
This would be a disaster of 2.2 million Gaza, which has already endured immeasurable suffering. With each new attack, it makes it difficult to suspect that the ultimate goal of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition is to ensure that Gaza is uninhabitable and drive Palestinians out of the land. For two months, Israel blocked delivery of all aid to the strip. Children’s malnutrition rates are rising, with some functioning hospitals running out of medication, and warnings of hunger and disease have increased.
However, the US and European countries that promote Israel as allies that share their values have issued little condemnation. They should be ashamed of their silence and should stop Netanyahu from acting with immunity.
In a brief statement on Sunday, Donald Trump admitted that Gazan was “starved” and suggested that Washington helps him put food on the strip. But so far, the US president has only encouraged Netanyahu.
Trump returned to the White House, which promises to end the war in Gaza, after helping to mediate the January ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Under the contract, Hamas agreed to phase out the hostages, and Israel was to withdraw from Gaza, with the enemy reaching a permanent ceasefire.
However, within weeks of the ceasefire, Trump announced Gaza’s strange plans to ensure that Gaza empty the Palestinians and take over to the United States. In March, Israel collapsed the ceasefire as it attempted to change terms of the transaction with Washington support.
Since then, Israeli officials have said they have implemented Trump’s plan to move Palestinians from Gaza. On Monday, far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotlich said “We are going to finally occupy the Gaza Strip.”
Netanyahu claims that an expanded attack is necessary to destroy Hamas and release the remaining 59 hostages. The reality is that Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack killed 1,200 people and caused a war, and the Prime Minister never made a clear plan. Instead, he repeats his greatest “victory” mantra, trying to appease his militant allies to ensure the survival of his governing coalition.
But Israel is also paying a price for his actions. The expanded attacks put hostage lives at risk, further weakening Israel’s discolored status and deepening the domestic sector.
Israel explained that the expanded operation will not begin next week after Trump visits the Persian Gulf, saying there will be a “window” for Hamas to release hostages in return for a temporary ceasefire. Arab leaders are angry at Netanyahu’s ruthless pursuit of conflict in Gaza, but they take Trump with a gorgeous ritual with billions of dollars investment and an arms deal promise.
Trump holds Hamas accountable when he talks to his Persian Gulf host. The group’s October 7 attack sparked an Israeli attack. The Persian Gulf countries agree that Gaza’s continued strangulation is a factor that extends the war. But they have to convince him to stand up to Trump, end the murder, lift the siege, and put pressure on Netanyahu to return to consultations.
The global turmoil caused by Trump has already distracted attention from the Gaza disaster. But the longer it gets, the more people will remain silent or coerce from their comments.
(Source: Financial Times)