Loading ...Netanyahu's Misguided Return to War in Gaza
By: Ghassan Rubeiz / Arab America Contributing Writer
Last week Israel announced it was backing away from the ceasefire agreement it had reached with Hamas, with US mediation. The agreement had outlined terms for the incremental exchange of captives, leading to a permanent ceasefire within 18 weeks. With the first of three phases over, Israel is now threatening to return to war. Prime Minister Netanyahu is taking enormous risks by renewing the fighting. Multiple challenges threaten his approach, which appears aimed at reducing Gaza’s population and potentially annexing what remains of the Palestinian Territories.
We are entering the season of Ramadan and Passover, religious observances focused on solidarity and freedom. The decision to escalate violence against a devastated population during these sacred weeks is deeply troubling. Even more concerning is the type of warfare Israel is considering. The newly-assigned Israeli chief of Staff has threatened Gazans with systematic deprivation of food, water and electricity, culminating in the use of a recently acquired American shipment of bunker-busting bombs. Such tactics constitute collective punishment and disproportionate retaliation, and are prohibited under international law.
The U.S. president is known for his capricious decisions, but he is unlikely to support another gruesome siege in Gaza. He is simultaneously facing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, chaotic domestic politics, a likely recession, and ballooning national debt. The U.S. administration already appears skeptical of Israel’s strategy: last week, a Trump envoy initiated direct, confidential negotiations with Hamas to explore alternatives to continued warfare and hostage return. There are signs this week that Trump’s attempts at mediation might lead to some results, if only superficial ones.
Israel would likely need to achieve a swift victory to secure Trump’s continued backing, but domestic opposition to Netanyahu’s plans continues to grow. Most Israelis are unwilling to risk the lives of the remaining hostages. The prime minister cannot indefinitely ignore mounting pressure, especially from hostage families and their supporters. And Hamas has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Their endurance stems not from inspiring Palestinian leadership, but from the hellish conditions Israel has created inside Gaza, which drive Palestinian youth toward Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Armed resistance offers them self-determination, cathartic retaliation, and an escape from despair and humiliation.
Whether Israel occupies Gaza by land or controls it by air and sea, perpetual resistance seems inevitable. Hamas and Jihadi leaders may come and go, but force alone will not quell the resistance of seven million Palestinians staring down annihilation.
Meanwhile, leaders in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are concerned that Israel has taken their cooperation for granted. Ethnic cleansing in Gaza could trigger massive popular anger, especially if Arab leaders appear complicit. Recent events in Syria are evidence for a simmering exasperation in the Arab world that could erupt anytime into a new set of Arab Spring uprisings, particularly in countries that have established relations with Israel.
Some of these challenges might prove surmountable individually, but collectively they render Netanyahu’s renewed Gaza campaign extraordinarily perilous. Israel’s return to the negotiation table in Qatar early this week may alter its short-term plans for Gaza, but its intent to displace Palestinians is no longer a secret.
Ghassan Rubeiz is the former Middle East Secretary of the World Council of Churches. Earlier, he taught psychology and social work in his country of birth, Lebanon, and later in the United States, where he currently lives. He has contributed to political commentary for the past twenty years and delivered occasional public talks on peace, justice, and interfaith subjects. You can reach him at rubeizg@gmail.com
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Arab America. The reproduction of this article is permissible with proper credit to Arab America and the author.
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