And the Biden administration wants to end the war short of victory.
Secretary of State Blinken visited Israel, seemingly in part to push for an extension of the ceasefire. That was over once Hamas carried out a terrorist attack in Jerusalem which killed a pregnant woman and an elderly rabbi. Beyond that, Hamas sabotaged the negotiations for the release of more hostages and began firing rockets.
But Blinken’s message, supposedly leaked to the media, was that Israel could not expect to continue fighting as it had before, using armored brigades and heavy firepower, that it had to leave UN facilities alone even if they’re being used by Hamas, and that it has to wrap up the fighting soon.
There’s nothing too surprising here. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to stick with this for as long as it did, and I suspect that was largely due to the genuine shock and horror that some people felt (Israel hasn’t fully released the Oct 7 footage, but it did screen it and pass it along to government officials, and the Biden admin had its own intelligence briefings) and the perception that the attack could be used to get the Palestinian Authority to take over Gaza and bring back peace negotiations.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been opposed to turning over Gaza to the PLO and Abbas appears to be sabotaging any such proposals with demands that the United States has to recognize his terror state as a country and provide UN admission. What that really means is that, once again, Abbas isn’t interested and is making excessive demands to scuttle the deal. It’s a tactic he inherited from Arafat who would find ways to blow up every peace negotiation.
The bottom line though is that Israel is facing challenging territory going forward. It’s not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’ the Biden administration pulls its support and how hard it will pull it. It’s not at all clear that military resupply aid will even get through Congress once Biden decided to staple it to a huge Ukraine aid package that Republicans hate. And even if it does get through, the administration can tie it up.
The initial phases of the war depended on shattering Hamas strongholds. Some of that was accomplished. But Hamas predictably melted away into the civilian population (which is also where the terror group appears to have kept some of the hostages) and the rest of the war may be a lot less neat. And that depends on how long the government will even choose to pursue it. There have been mixed messages from some Israeli government figures, although not Netanyahu, redefining the metrics of the war to destroying Hamas’ “governing ability” (a virtually meaningless metric that could be arguably met now) or the release of the hostages (which amounts to a deal with the terrorists), but short of Netanyahu’s call to destroy Hamas.
That is what most Israelis want. They want to finish the job. The country, not just the hostages or their families, has gone through a lot. The massive mobilization and massive displacement of civilians from war zones has had a huge impact on a small country.
Israelis have done this for a larger goal. The question is will the soldiers be allowed to finish the job?
Pray Hard says
Go, Izzies!
Namer says
If the soldiers are not allowed to finish the job then this will have been for nothing. All you have to do is look at every conflict America has been in since WW2. I pray that Israel does what it needs to do to protect its people and its nations,
crown says
And in back of everything, lurking behind the scenes and making all the decisions, is the malignant presence of Barack Obama.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Obama has to wear makeup to cover up the “666” tattooed to his forehead. Not a concept that is part of my, Jewish, traditions, but … if the description fits…
Emmanuel says
Oh Israel, you need peace? wipe out the enemies!
bagsgroove says
Damn moslems,the curse of mankind.
Walter Sieruk says
After that vicious and murderous Hamas terrorist attack in Jerusalem inspire of the that ceasefire that those liars who are the heads of Hamas had promised to uphold a restated of this war by the Israel Defense Forces is very necessary and important.
Since that most recent jihad attack in Jerusalem the same statement still applies that an Israeli government official said after the October 7th Hamas murder attacks. That appropriate recitation is that “They made a big mistake.”
The jihadists of Hamas did ,indeed, did make a “big mistake.” For it’s very fitting and even necessary that the Israeli military and police need to and have to engage in extensive measures of retribution for those Hamas terror /murder attacks.
For it’s very obvious that the jihadists who make up Hamas only understand the language of violent brutal force, therefore that’s exactly they should be dealt with.
Likewise, the use of the military force against Hamas is an very important and necessary action of self-defense.
As the former US President James Monroe, had rightly and wisely, in a speech declared, “The right of self -defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and individuals.”
Walter Sieruk says
with this renewal of this was it should be remembered that Hamas, should be dealt with defeated and even destroyed is to hit it hard , hit it long and keep on hitting it with strong powerful forceful military strikes until it’s unable to raise up again with its ugly , vicious and deadly jihad Islamic head.
MJ Raichyk, PhD says
For the record, the email notifications for both of this morning’s postings are being redirected into an endless deadend… fortunately I remembered that there was an instruction in the body of the email with the direct URL…. just my experience… ttyl
Pchenenko says
If Israel doesn’t finish this now, they will never be able to. They can’t wait for a more favorable government in the US over a year from now. The world has gone mad and I thought that Israel was the only sane actor until they caved to Hamas demands on the hostage releases. It’s wonderful that Israel got so many of the women and children back. I’m sick about those who remain and I pray for all of them. But now that the most vulnerable are out, Israel needs to stop listening to the talking heads in the US and hit them hard and fast. Otherwise I worry about the future of not only Israel but also the Jewish people and the US.
Troybeam says
Israel let down their guard, never should have. If Israel cannot destroy Gaza & Hamas then this battle will never end.
Don McKellar says
Every day that it’s not destroying Hamas, Israel is losing and Hamas and Iran and Obama are winning.
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
Time for the Biden/Obama administration to wrap up their tenure. They have proven their incompetence too many times to continue. And take the ding-a-ling border czar with you.
As for the Arabs living in Gaza- treat indolent and destructive people like you would out-of-control children. Enforce promised consequences as soon as agreed upon behaviors have been violated. Consistent responses to challenges of agreements is the only way they will take the adults in the room seriously. Practice Tough Love.
James Lincoln says
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says,
“Time for the Biden/Obama administration to wrap up their tenure.”
Yes, but they will not go quietly into the night.