The recent announcement of Israeli ground troops’ withdrawal from Khan Younis in Gaza has sparked speculation about the possibility of a truce or sustained ceasefire.
For some, this development gives a positive signal; the “beginning of the end of this war,” as someone put it.
While some view this withdrawal as a positive step towards peace, the statement accompanying the troop withdrawal hints at the intention to regroup and prepare for future operations.
This indicates that the Israeli military remains poised to continue its offensive against Gaza, suggesting that the conflict is far from over.
Far from marking the “beginning of the end” of the conflict, for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, this partial withdrawal signifies the “end of the beginning,” as significant destruction has already been inflicted upon Gaza and its population.
Despite the destruction inflicted upon Gaza and its population, Netanyahu is still adamant.
According to Israeli security analyst, Omer Dostri, the withdrawal is purely tactical and does not mean the war is anywhere near over.
As such, it is evident that the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Khan Younis is just one chapter in a protracted struggle, with the prospect of further escalations looming on the horizon.
The situation remains precarious for Netanyahu’s government, with mounting pressure from various fronts including international condemnation, Iranian threats of retaliation, domestic dissent, and growing momentum for action from the United States and other Western nations.
Talk Is Cheap
Meanwhile, international pressure mounts on the United States to halt its support for Israel.
What President Joe Biden really has to do is not ask for some kind of concrete measurable plan but to stop the unending flow of weapons and the political support that the U.S gives to Israel.
Saul Takahashi, a former Deputy Head of office at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in occupied Palestine, noted, “Talk is cheap,” he added, while calling on Western countries to impose sanctions on Israel.
He added, “[They must make] sure that the situation of impunity that Israel has enjoyed for decades and decades as it flouts international law systematically [is] brought to an end.”
Calls for an immediate cessation of weapons transfers and imposition of sanctions is gaining traction among Democratic lawmakers, reflecting a significant shift in American political discourse.
More than 30 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have called for a full halt to the transfer of weapons to Israel, in a letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
“In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers,” read the letter signed by the lawmakers, including former House speaker and Biden ally Nancy Pelosi.
“While we appreciate your administration’s recent efforts to increase the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, these efforts will not be sufficient to meet the extraordinary need on the ground,” the letter noted.
The letter highlights growing opposition to the status quo of unconditional support for Israel.
This signifies a notable change in the American political landscape, with increasing alignment towards holding Israel accountable for its actions.
Hassan Barari, a Professor at Qatar University’s Department of International Affairs, opined that the letter represents a “change in the American scene,” adding that “the whole Democratic party is moving to adopt this position, so it has become a mainstream position.”
Calls for sanctions and a cessation of weapons transfers underscore the need for tangible steps to address the humanitarian crisis and address Israel’s alleged violations of international law.
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