Bowen: US establishes more definite boundaries for Israel as ceasefire concludes
Ultimately, it was a diplomatic triumph that the ceasefire endured for the period that it did. Currently, following a week-long halt, both Israel and Hamas are confronting their most substantial military and political hurdles.
Hamas is battling for its survival. The group maintains that it has not been defeated as long as its militants are able to fire guns or launch rockets into Israel.
Despite its immense military strength, Israel's mission is quite complex.
On October 7, after Hamas violated the border and caused the deaths of nearly 1,200 individuals, predominantly Israeli civilians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged a powerful retribution.
Shortly after the Israeli forces resumed their attack, the government reaffirmed its war objectives through a WhatsApp message: "Freeing the captives, destroying Hamas, and making sure that Gaza will never pose a risk to the people of Israel once more."
The primary concern for Mr. Netanyahu, his political supporters and opponents in Israel, as well as Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is understanding the process and the aftermath. Blinken, who has visited Israel and its neighboring regions four times since the onset of the war, is particularly involved.
Maybe Mr Blinken was aware that his effort to extend what he termed as the "humanitarian pause" would not succeed.
The night prior to the recommencement of the conflict, he reiterated America's backing for Israel's entitlement to protect itself, and once more denounced Hamas.
Mr. Blinken reiterated his demand for Israel to abide by international humanitarian law and the rules of warfare, even when dealing with a terrorist organization that disregards both.
Subsequently, Mr Blinken gave his most candid public comment so far on how Israel ought to conduct the war.
It's valuable to cite in detail, as it serves as a list detailing what the US anticipates from its primary partner.
Mr. Blinken stated that this involves implementing more efficient measures to safeguard civilian lives, such as accurately identifying safe zones in southern and central Gaza where they can be out of harm's way.
This implies preventing additional large-scale movement of civilians within Gaza. It also means steering clear of harm to essential structures such as hospitals, power plants, and water utilities.
This implies providing non-combatants who have been relocated to the southern part of Gaza the option to go back to the northern region as soon as the situation allows. There should be no lasting internal displacement.
When the conflict started, the US President, Joe Biden, made his way here. Although he endeavored to provide Israel with strong and comforting support, he cautioned his allies not to allow anger to cloud their judgment in their quest for justice, reflecting on America's experience following the al-Qaeda attacks on September 11, 2001.
The comments made by Mr. Blinken imply that Joe Biden feels Mr. Netanyahu, with whom he shares a strained relationship, has not been receptive to his advice.
The objectives of Israel's conflict necessitate that its subsequent offensive targets Hamas in the southern part of Gaza. As it moved into northern Gaza, it directed Palestinian civilians to relocate to the south for their protection.
Though not as deadly as the northern region, which Israel has largely devastated, no place in Gaza is secure.
Several hours following the recommencement of conflicts, Palestinians residing in Rafah, located at the extreme southern end of Gaza bordering Egypt, were victims of Israeli aerial attacks.
Israel cannot assert that it has eradicated Hamas unless it dismantles its base in the south. This is where they suspect Yahya Sinwar and other leaders are hiding in tunnels beneath the civilian populace, accompanied by an unknown quantity of combatants.
If Israel continues to employ the strategies it used in northern Gaza, the death toll of civilians could rise by thousands. The UN's Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has already labeled the situation in Gaza as a colossal humanitarian disaster.
Egypt, among others, is concerned that intense military force on nearly two million civilians in the southern regions might result in thousands of distressed individuals crossing the border into the Sinai Desert. This could potentially lead to a fresh Palestinian refugee crisis, adding another volatile and desperate situation for the Middle East.
Suppose Israel has assured the US that Palestinian civilians will be instructed to relocate to designated zones for their safety. Given the severity of the war that Israel is engaged in, which includes the use of tanks, air raids, and heavy artillery, it's more likely to envision potential pitfalls of this plan rather than its probable success.
Should Israel transition to less intense counter-insurgency strategies, causing troops to maneuver without substantial defense, it could potentially experience a significant increase in combat injuries than previously recorded.
Israel's subsequent actions also represent a crucial juncture for Joe Biden, who is grappling with intense backlash from the liberal faction of his Democratic party over his backing of Israel.
Antony Blinken, the primary diplomat for Biden, has openly expressed the US's expectations of Israel's approach towards battling Hamas. If Israel's actions result in the death of Palestinian civilians similar to the numbers in the north, and in contrast to Biden's communicated wishes, the US president will be faced with the decision of whether to maintain the high level of support for Israel. This support extends beyond the battlefield to the United Nations Security Council, where the US has frequently utilized its veto power to defend Israel.
Hamas hasn't been defeated. The hostages it still has in its possession serve as a significant tool that can be utilized to hinder Israel's military efforts and increase mental strain on Israel's civilian population. The leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar, and his followers will also attempt to take advantage of any chances that arise if and when Israel's military leaders adhere to American directives to reduce their use of force.
The conflict has entered a fresh stage, just like the entire area. Numerous Palestinians and Israelis, even those distantly located from the skirmishes in Gaza, appear to be overwhelmed by the burden of a risky and unpredictable future.
Additional information on the Israel-Gaza conflict
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