The Israeli airstrike that killed seven employees of José Andrés' nonprofit World Central Kitchen, which was working to feed the hungry in the Gaza Strip, was a mistake, according to Israel. was. But saying that does not absolve the country of responsibility for the latest tragedy in the war, which has left nearly 200 aid workers dead. Clearly, Israel has failed to develop or adhere to appropriate conflict resolution rules to protect humanitarian workers.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that mistakes are inherently made in war is completely inadequate and reveals his complete tone-deafness. Innocent people will certainly be killed. That is why we want to make every effort to avoid war, create a safe path for innocent people, including humanitarian workers, and negotiate a negotiated end to the conflict.
“Several humanitarian organizations suspended operations in Gaza on Tuesday after an Israeli attack killed seven World Central Kitchen employees and jeopardized deliveries to the already aid-starved enclave. announced,” the Post reported. “The strike shocked the international aid community. WCK and at least two other organizations announced they would suspend operations in Gaza.”
Israel has vowed to abide by the laws of war, which requires that military operations “not result in accidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian property, or any combination thereof.” is required. Direct military superiority is expected. ” Continued large-scale civilian casualties, including aid workers, give reason to question compliance with international law.
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Wars started in self-defense can lose legitimacy if the means of warfare violate international norms. Andres' appeal to Israel to “stop restricting humanitarian aid, stop killing civilians and aid workers, and stop using food as a weapon” will resonate with many Americans. . Therefore, Israel cannot continue to fight for diminishing returns without the will or ability to protect innocent people.
Israel appears to be running out of patience even with the Biden administration, perhaps the most pro-Zionist in history. (The situation has gotten so bad that even Netanyahu's close ally, former President Donald Trump, had ordered Israel to end the war before the latest attack.) The Times of Israel reported: It quotes an anonymous US official who was furious that coordination measures with aid workers were insufficient. is “currently installed only”. Indeed, even in Israel there is a recognition that not enough is being done. An Israeli official told the Times of Israel: “Soldiers are operating under immense pressure in extremely difficult conditions, with Hamas embedded within the civilian population, but the rules of engagement are… is designed to help deal with such situations, and is done far too often.” being ignored. ”
White House press secretary John Kirby was surprisingly candid. “We were outraged to learn of the IDF attack yesterday that killed scores of civilian humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen, which works tirelessly to feed the hungry in Gaza.” he said on Tuesday. Mr Kirby expressed “hope” that the findings would be made public, saying: “This case is emblematic of a larger problem and evidence of why it is so difficult to distribute aid to Gaza. ” he declared. But what is clear beyond the strikes is that the IDF must do more to improve its conflict resolution processes so that civilians and humanitarian workers are protected. ”
Later that day, President Biden issued a harsh statement of his own, stressing that “this is not an isolated incident.” In his harshest words ever, he declared: “Israel is not doing enough to protect aid workers who are trying to deliver desperately needed aid to civilians. Incidents like yesterday must never happen.” reminded Israel that “the United States has repeatedly urged Israel to avoid conflict between military and humanitarian operations against Hamas to avoid civilian casualties.'' Biden pledged that the United States would do everything possible to get aid to Gaza, adding: “I will continue to press Israel to do more to facilitate aid.” emphasized. And we urge an immediate ceasefire as part of the hostage deal. ” I have rarely seen Biden criticize Israel in such emotional terms.
Protests against the government in Israel had already grown in size and intensity before the attack sparked international outrage. The demonstrations have expanded from a weekly Saturday night vigil to support the hostages to days of demonstrations challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership of the war and retention of power. Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets for the fourth consecutive night demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immediate resignation. On Tuesday night, some demonstrators who began at parliament moved closer to Prime Minister Netanyahu's home, where they clashed with police.
A combination of domestic and international pressure, not to mention harsh criticism from hostage families and the Israel Defense Forces, has yet to force Netanyahu from power. But in a dramatic move, opposition wartime cabinet minister Benny Gantz called for elections in September. If that happens, pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to step down may accelerate. (According to the administration, Netanyahu's statements about the need for Operation Rafah, although no concrete plans for its implementation have been provided to the US, have heightened the anger of the Biden administration and prompted Netanyahu's right-wing partners to fight back.) (increasingly sounds like a political strategy to destroy the wagons and extend the war indefinitely). )
In any case, pressure from within Israel and from the international community is steadily increasing against the country's overwhelmingly unpopular prime minister, who is on trial on corruption charges. If Prime Minister Netanyahu is to step down sooner rather than later, the vise will need to get tougher and the opposition more dramatic – including nationwide strikes, mass resignations in the IDF, and threats to cut off US military aid. ――And so on. In other words, only if there is a consensus that he poses an existential threat to Israel will there be enough pressure to force him out during wartime.
If Prime Minister Netanyahu ultimately steps down, Israel will be more isolated, unstable, and less good-willed than at any point in its history. It may take decades to recover from Netanyahu's legacy.
