The Israeli army says it has destroyed 130 tunnels since the ground operation began and that Hamas has already lost control of northern Gaza after about 50,000 people fled in the past few hours. As the Israeli military continues its operations, the United States has become clearer about what it thinks about the future of the area.
In Tokyo to participate in a meeting of G7 diplomacy chiefs, Antony Blinken again rejected the prospect of Israel remaining in Gaza after the military operation “indefinitely” proposed by Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Foreign Minister was crystal clear in rejecting the forced transfer of population groups from Gaza, as well as the reduction of the enclave’s territory or its blockade. “We must also work on positive elements to achieve lasting peace,” he said afterwards. “These elements must include the voices and aspirations of the Palestinian people who are at the center of post-crisis governance in Gaza. It must also include Palestinian-led governance and the unification of Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority,” he argued.
To the New York Timesa Palestinian Authority leader was less than enthusiastic about Blinken’s words, saying this discussion makes no sense in light of a ceasefire and a political process leading to Palestine’s independence. “We need a political solution, international guarantees. We will not repeat the same story,” said Ahmed Majdalani.
For Washington, however, the aspirations of the Palestinians are not combined with a ceasefire for the time being. “Normally, when you reach a ceasefire, you think you’ve reached the end and it’s time to negotiate,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “Right now, a ceasefire benefits Hamas. It certainly also legitimizes what Hamas started on October 7,” he reflected.
The group of richest countries has asked Japan for humanitarian breaks to allow humanitarian aid to the enclave and the release of hostages. According to Qatar, Hamas will be willing to release a dozen hostages in exchange for a three-day truce – an idea that has already been rejected by Tel Aviv, which is demanding the release of all prisoners in preparation for a pause in military operations.
Michel wants to cook peace
The armistice seems far away, much more peace. But it became part of a leader’s speech again. This time it was Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, who announced the organization of a conference to end the conflict. “Together with other partners, we will lead the organization of a peace and stability conference as soon as possible, inspired by previous initiatives and the Abraham Accords,” the Belgian leader said during his speech in the European Parliament. The initiative was proposed by Spanish leader Pedro Sánchez during the last European Council.
Michel argued that supporting a credible Palestinian state is an “investment in peace and security in the region,” while emphasizing the role of the European Union “as a global actor” through diplomacy and foreign policy.
Left-wing disagreements
In England and the United States, the positions of Labor and Democratic leaders on the war are far from consensus. A shadow minister resigned on Wednesday, exacerbating tensions in the Keir Starmer-led party. In a letter to Starmer, MP Imran Hussain said he wanted to be a strong supporter of a humanitarian ceasefire. Starmer, who is leading the polls, refused to call for a permanent ceasefire, but rather a humanitarian pause in the bombing. A position in conflict with 16 other members of the shadow government. A Labor Party spokesperson said a ceasefire would freeze the conflict and “give the hostages in Gaza and Hamas the infrastructure and capacity to carry out the kind of attack we saw on October 7.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was also embroiled in a controversy, but of a different nature, and with the head of the Metropolitan Police. The conservative wanted to postpone the pro-Palestinian demonstration, which takes place every Saturday, because it coincides with the day celebrating the armistice of the First World War. Despite deeming the protest “disrespectful” and putting war memorials at risk of desecration, he accepted the decision of Mark Rowley, the chief of police, who said “there is no absolute power to ban the demonstration”.
In the United States, Israel’s closest ally, the only representative of Palestinian descent faced a vote of censure from the House of Representatives over her comments. Democrat Rashida Tlaib was criticized by Republicans and some members of her own party in a resolution – by 234 votes to 188 – for “promoting false narratives about the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.”
The censure motion identified a series of statements made by Tlaib, including a video posted on social media, in which she accused President Joe Biden of supporting what she described as the “genocide” of Palestinians and urged him to to support a ceasefire, according to the motion of censure. text of the motion. The video also shows a crowd chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which the motion says is “widely recognized as a genocidal call for violence to destroy the State of Israel.”
Michigan’s representative passionately defended her. “It is important to separate people and governments. No government is above criticism. The idea that criticizing the Israeli government is anti-Semitic sets a very dangerous precedent and has been used to silence diverse voices defending human rights in our country to impose,” he said. warned.
Source: DN
