Israel’s military campaign in Gaza escalates. This escalation is an immediate response to the shocking and horrific massacre by Hamas on southern Israel on 7/10/23. That malicious assault ultimately took the lives of nearly 1,200 people. It led to 251 people being kidnapped and transported into Gaza. Israel has called for a total disarmament of Hamas. They demand the return of all hostages before even entertaining an end to the fighting.
According to Haaretz, Israel has accepted such a ceasefire deal. This shocking proposal is the brainchild of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The acceptance has yet to be formally confirmed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. At the same time, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt was claiming that Israel had agreed to the proposal.
Even with these steps taken, Hamas has rejected outright any demands that it lay down its arms. As part of their statement, the coalition strongly demands that Israeli military forces leave Gaza and refuse to carry on the war indefinitely. In other words, Hamas is unlikely to disarm, posing serious test to Israel. The country wishes to avoid a ceasefire that would let such a militant group continue to exert large heck in the region.
As the international community increasingly calls on Israel to stop its military operation, the humanitarian toll on Gaza has already been catastrophic. According to health officials, over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting and the territory has experienced massive destruction. European countries have stepped up pressure on their governments to demand a ceasefire and major humanitarian relief efforts, as it becomes clear that the situation is dire.
Netanyahu faces political challenges at home. His coalition partners from the extreme right are threatening to bring down his government if he tries to negotiate an end to the war any time soon. Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister from this ruling far-right, fascist faction, made clear his ambition to wage war on Hamas until it’s entirely extinct. He had promised to bring all hostages home.
“I stayed in the government to make sure that we return to fighting until the full goals of the war are realised, primarily the destruction of Hamas and the release of the hostages,” – Bezalel Smotrich.
Itamar Ben Gvir, another far-right minister, echoed Smotrich’s sentiments, advocating for a more aggressive approach in Gaza following Hamas’s rejection of the U.S.-backed truce proposal. He made clear he wanted more urgency on the ground in Israel for acting decisively.
“The confusion, the shuffling and the weakness must end. We have already missed too many opportunities. It is time to go in with full force, without blinking, to destroy, and kill Hamas to the last one,” – the national security minister.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Although a U.S.-backed system for distributing food was recently expanded, its implementation was marred by violence when Israeli troops opened fire on a large crowd. This tragic incident led to at least one civilian death and many more injuries, including to protesters and police officers. Humanitarian organizations have provided the equivalent of 1.8 million meals. They are working to stand up additional distribution points over the next few weeks.
On Wednesday, Steve Witkoff reminded us that Washington was nearing completion of a new ceasefire proposal. This new effort seeks to unite both camps in this long-standing adversarial battle. Discussions with Hamas remain complex. According to senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, negotiations are still happening. Even as he celebrated these diplomatic victories, he noted that Israel’s proposed terms fail to address their requests for a ceasefire and troop withdrawal.
“The Zionist [Israeli] response, in essence, means perpetuating the occupation and continuing the killing and famine,” – Bassem Naim.
Naim penned an op-ed sharply rebuking the suggested terms for a humanitarian ceasefire. He contended that the requests don’t address the most important priorities of the Palestinian people including stopping the war and famine like conditions.
“Does not respond to any of our people’s demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine,” – Bassem Naim.
The internal dynamics within Netanyahu’s coalition further complicate any decisions to expand military operations or seek negotiation to bring an end to hostilities. And as lawmakers on both sides dig in their heels, the chance to reach a permanent resolution seems further and further out of reach.