As the war in Gaza enters its sixth month, cracks are appearing in the once clear united front between Israel and the United States. Meanwhile, hunger threatens Gaza's civilian population, who are already paying a terrible price in displacement, disease and death.
If Israel and the United States do not resolve their differences and agree on a workable approach for the next steps in Gaza, including ways to alleviate the suffering of Gazans and sideline Hamas, after the start of this war , the only victor may be Hamas itself. Such an outcome could threaten not only Israel's stability, but the entire region.
President Biden's public declaration that Israel is failing to limit civilian casualties and deliver aid to the Palestinians. A huge speech by Senator Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. and U.S. tolerance of the UN Security Council's cease-fire resolution, which Israel opposes – these recent events have strained relations like never before.
The tension is grounded in reality. Neither Biden nor Netanyahu are popular domestically. Both are afraid of their offices. However, both countries face contradictory domestic political pressures. Mr. Biden is up against a left wing of the Democratic Party that has become increasingly critical of Israel's war effort and a left wing of the Democratic Party that appears to be growing impatience among a wide swath of American voters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's grip on power has held him hostage to right-wing supporters of West Bank annexation, but mainstream Israelis see their fight as existential and are hawkish and want to end Hamas. He shows his intention to see the war through to the end.
The other reality is that Hamas, although severely crippled by the IDF, still maintains intact leadership and commands four battalions holed up underground. At the same time, the objective situation for Gaza's 2 million or so people, most of whom have been displaced from their abandoned homes, is dire. Indeed, their plight reflects the inability and unwillingness to protect so many women and children from death by Israeli airstrikes or by food shortages that could soon lead to widespread starvation. Hamas is partly to blame for starting the war. Nevertheless, for Israel, protecting innocent non-combatants is both a strategic and moral imperative.
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Despite the recent drama, there are signs that both countries may be beginning to move from the political arena to mature statesmanship. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisers have agreed to reschedule a meeting with senior Biden administration officials that the prime minister canceled last Monday in anger over the United States' abstention from a United Nations resolution.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a working meeting with Biden's national security team about the really important topics. It is a battle between the Israelis, the government, and within the government over how or whether Israel can attack the remaining Hamas forces in Rafah. Otherwise, they overwhelmingly believe they must fight without causing a humanitarian catastrophe for the more than million people who have fled to that town from previous fighting in the rest of Gaza. There is.
What emerged was a clear statement from the administration that left room for the U.S. to respond to the Rafah attack — but only to “protect the safety and security of the 1.5 million Gazans sheltered there.” “An achievable and verifiable plan for ” national security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday.
This kind of pressure is very important. The preferred course in the short term is to negotiate a six-week ceasefire with Hamas, during which the militants could release at least some of their hostages and allow relief supplies to flow more safely into Gaza. Dew. However, perhaps sensing an opportunity in the dispute between the United States and Israel, Hamas has balked even after Israel softened its terms, and negotiations appear to have stalled, at least for now.
Despite weeks of talk of an “imminent” Israeli attack on Rafah, such an action would require extensive preparations and probably would not be able to begin for at least a month. Whatever happens, Israel has time to gradually increase the level of aid that is beginning to pass through Israeli checkpoints.
But Israel does not have unlimited time to end this war and all the tremendous suffering that comes with it. Israeli society, the suffering civilians in Gaza, and the hostages still suffering in Hamas tunnels cannot afford to be reduced to a stalemate. Despite harsh criticism, Biden remains a close friend of Israel and is willing to take political risks to support it. Israel's future may depend on understanding that when such people offer advice, it is wise to listen.
