ISCTE researcher Maria João Tomás believes that Israel will not accept humanitarian pauses or a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Middle East specialist further states that the war will soon escalate, especially since Israel is only “in the first phase of the operation.”
“Israel is not in favor of adjustments, neither for one nor for the other, because it is in the first phase of the operation and the first phase of the operation is the air strikes. Today it is already giving in on many things. More have arrived trucks and very complicated times are expected, because [o primeiro-ministro israelita, Benjamin] Netanyahu said something surprising: ‘We are in a battle for our lives, a battle for our home. This is not an exageration. This is war. It’s life or death. They have to die,'” explains Maria João Tomás, speaking with TSFpointing out that, after Netanyahu’s statements, “consensus probably did not appear for this reason.”
“This is the first phase of the operation, the second phase will be the ground part and I believe that Israel will not stop now,” he argues.
The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, requested this Monday, on behalf of the 27, a “humanitarian pause” so that aid can enter the Gaza Strip. The head of European diplomacy recognizes that this is a “less ambitious” call than that of the UN Secretary General.
The researcher also regrets the lack of a common position of the 27 Member States, but highlights that the EU does not have much influence in the region.
“The influence must be from Qatar, it must be the American influence and it must be the influence of the Arab countries. I don’t think the EU has much influence in this decision. The EU is the main provider of support to Palestine,” he adds, stating that this is, “on the one hand, a certain concession to countries like, for example, Germany.”
“This lack of EU cohesion is not good. Guterres has warned several times that there must be a limit to the right to self-defense – Israel has the right to do so – but there is a limit, which is international law. Here are some interests. The issue of the Holocaust weighs heavily and this whole situation, memory is recent and there are many countries that were involved and this perhaps explains Ursula’s departure. [von der Leyen, presidente da Comissão Europeia] to Israel,” he emphasizes.
The Middle East specialist thus emphasizes that the times ahead are not easy and points out “the hostage issue” as one of Hamas’ greatest advantages.
“The other great advantage of Hamas is the 500 kilometers of tunnels 75 meters deep. Only Hamas knows this. At this point in the championship, they must have already brought together all the other brigades,” he points out, fearing that the different groups will unite. terrorists. cash.
“What will happen next, I don’t know, and I’m even afraid to imagine what could come from there,” confesses Maria João Tomás, who stresses that the forces close to Hamas should not be devalued.
“Don’t be fooled, Israelis, when you go to the Gaza Strip, you will have it easy. The danger of a regional escalation is enormous and I don’t think Iran will intervene directly. Hezbollah has been putting pressure on the North Now the problem is everyone Hamas allies and then we will probably see terrorist attacks spread throughout the world,” he explains.
The researcher also warns of Syria’s enmity with Israel, which, if it feels pressured, “will ask its old friend: Putin for help.”
Source: TSF
