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Join on Telegram After the release of 2 US hostages was announced on Friday, US President Biden was in conversation with reporters. He was asked if Israel should delay the Gaza invasion in order to secure the release of more hostages. The President answered “Yes”. However, the White House later clarified that Biden didn’t hear the question in full and his affirmative answer only meant he wanted the release of more hostages. A truism one would think!
So that’s where the anticipated entry of Israeli troops to Gaza stands – it’s not, in fact never, been IF the incursion would happen, but when! Now, that’s a tragedy for everyone involved and the Middle East as a whole.
The world is fearing with much trepidation the physical destruction and loss of human lives that will result from Israel’s proposed ground assault on Gaza.
What is surprising so far is that no one, including the US, is stating what CAN avert this onslaught. Everyone is behaving as if the ground assault of Gaza by Israel is a necessity or still worse, a fait-accompli! There MUST be a quid-pro-quo that would make it avoidable – or does Israel simply want to test its armed forces’ prowess just like that? If Netanyahu were to say, for example, that all hostages should be released forthwith as a condition (to avoid ground invasion), it would make a beginning for negotiation. Not that Hamas may agree. But Israel shall appear less stubborn and can reduce the discomfort of Abraham Accord partners and KSA.
Most of the Western leaders assert their support to Israel for ‘self-defense’. Good enough. But where does the defense end and the offense commence? In reality, Israel had copious time, resources, and capability – or so the entire world believed – to thwart the Hamas’ assault of 7th October. Impregnability after all was the USP of Israel’s armed forces and espionage machinery. That vaunted capability was nowhere in sight when it was most needed.
To think of it, all the Hamas fighters who came into Israel on 7th Oct have either been killed or captured. Tomorrow, if the Israeli army were to march into Gaza, there would be no Hamas men waiting to surrender with clear demarcation from civilians. Instead, the ensuing fight will consume ordinary Palestinians in equal numbers as Hamas militants. Plus, there is little possibility of the hostages being freed unharmed – in fact, searching for them is like the proverbial needle in a haystack, the problem compounded by many a rick strewn all over the thickly populated Gaza and even in the safe haven underground tunnels of Hamas!
The travesty is that Hamas also planned the operation anticipating Israel reacting in the manner they do now. Hence, it’s logical to expect the utmost level of preparation from Hamas to the marching boots of the enemy. Ultimately, the scene is going to be utter destruction of Gaza, and the loss of many lives on all sides. Still, Israel’s aim of creating a Hamas-free Gaza may not fructify.
Does anyone know what Israel needs to call back the troops from the Gaza border? Has it been ever clearly stated? If not, why did no one, including President Biden who took the arduous short trip to ground zero all the way ask that simple question or force Israel to come clean on that aspect? Does the proposed invasion carry the certainty of tomorrow’s sunrise, hence nothing could be done to avert it?
The Cairo Peace Summit scheduled to be held on 21st Oct will have a wide representation from Europe and the Middle East. But 3 important players – Israel, Iran and the US – shall not be around. (Latest reports show that America shall be represented by the chargé d’affaires from its Cairo embassy). EU nations have reservations about calling for a cease-fire which will essentially mean calling off the ground offensive as well. Such a stand shall be at variance from the EU resolution giving Israel the right to self-defense.
Unless concrete steps – at least a joint call – for an immediate ceasefire are possible, such Summits shall only be lines drawn on water.
