Israeli Prime Minister devalues the criticism – public opinion, the Armed Forces, the Mossad, and the international community, including the Arab League – and ensures that it goes on with the plans to occupy the entire territory of the Gaza Strip.
Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to advance with the military operation to occupy the entire territory of the Gaza Strip, even though it is practically isolated in this goal. The Israeli Prime Minister seems to be willing to “make a difficult decision,” which can cost the lives of hostages that continue in Hamas’s hands to follow the plan of “crushing” the extremist group, suggests Helena Ferro Gouveia.
“But sometimes political leaders have to make difficult decisions and this may be a difficult decision that we, a posterioriwe can say that it was the right decision, ”assumes the commentator of CNN Portugal.
This Sunday, at a press conference, Benjamin Netanyahu said that “gave instructions to IDF [Forças da Defesa de Israel] To dismantle the two remaining hammal refuges in the city of Gaza and in a territory range in the center of Gaza, which covers several refugee camps.
“This is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it quickly,” said Netanyahu, who is increasingly isolated in this opportunity -the international community has joined the internal criticisms that emerged from public opinion -even among supporters of Israeli Prime Minister -and even from Israel’s defense forces (IDF), after the Chief of Staff had disagreed Netanyahu, which generated discomfort between the government and the Armed Forces.
In Helena Ferro Gouveia’s understanding, “Israel seems to be obliged” to move forward with this operation to “crush Hamas”, as “there are no concrete proposals” to resolve the conflict.
“Although everyone criticizes Israel, from the western world to the Arab world, the truth is that there are no concrete proposals. The UN Secretary-General himself, who is always very vocal to criticize Israel, visited Israel once in 2017 and was never interested in conflict in the Middle East, just as Kofi Annan [antigo secretário-geral da ONU]who had a regular presence in the region and sought to contribute to solutions, ”says CNN Portugal commentator. Even the Gulf countries were not interested in resolving the conflict“ because they were doing their business with the US, ”adds Helena Ferro Gouveia.
That is, “there is a lot of criticism but deep down no one knows what to do about the Palestinian issue.”
Hamas arrives in Egypt to resume “the process of peace negotiation”
The last phase of Netanyahu’s plan provides for a Gaza Strip Civil Administration, eventually managed by an Arab country, as suggested by the Prime Minister himself. So far,
Hamas ensures that any country that leads the administration of the Gaza Strip will be considered a force of occupation.
Netanyahu’s plans may have spoiled the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Hamas. According to the Catari press, a delegation of the extremist group will arrive on Monday to Cairo, after being pressured by Egypt and Qatar, the two moderating countries of negotiations between the two parties.
Jorge Botelho Moniz agrees that “it is really very difficult” to reach an agreement between the parties when both “want to annihilate each other” and when “moderate Arab countries” that can act as mediators “are not extraordinarily concerned with the Palestinian cause”. Rather, he says, “they want to oppose the Israelite cause” for fear of Netanyahu’s expansionary plans.
“Putting Gaza as a permanent humanitarian city will not work,” says CNN Portugal commentator. “It’s good that there is some ability to, with Arab states – those who at least pretend they want to know about the Palestinian cause – to reach a deal and maintain at least some kind of health in the region.”
