This evening Israel will decide whether to continue to negotiate with a recalcitrant terrorist group trying to drag things out or to go into Rafah to finish them off. The Biden Administration are tempting Israel with the choice of “Rafah or Riyadh,” saying that a military operation will end prospects of a Saudi peace deal. The fate of the hostages hangs in the balance.
Despite a series of extensive negotiations and what even the Americans described as an “extraordinarily generous” offer from Israel, the prospects for a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Hamas appear bleak. Recent developments have highlighted the challenging dynamics at play, with Israeli officials and international observers expressing concern over Hamas’s unyielding stance.
The Israeli war cabinet, then the full cabinet, convenes tonight to deliberate on their next steps, the mood tempered by Hamas’ less-than-promising responses and Israel’s proposal, which included massive concessions aimed at securing the release of hostages, has not been met with reciprocation from Hamas. Instead, Hamas’s demands continue to be viewed as unrealistic and disproportionate, demand an end to the war as a precondition—terms that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has made clear he cannot accept. If he tries, he government is likely to dissolve.
The Israeli public’s sentiment is divided, with leftist “Bibi-haters” (including much of the media) and some of the families of hostages voicing desperate anguish and desperation in regular wild protests in Tel Aviv. But the overwhelming majority of Israelis supports a Rafah operation to dismantle what remains of Hamas’ military capabilities.
Internationally, the situation remains tense. The U.S. has expressed its view that Hamas must accept the offer, praising Israel’s flexibility but still insisting on opposition to an Israeli move into Rafah. Should the Cabinet vote to approve a Rafah operation, tensions with the Biden Administration are likely to increase.
The Biden Administration has tried to tempt Israel with the propect of a peace deal with Saudi Arabia, but it’s unlikely the Israeli government will fall for that as it would involve accepting a Palestinian state in principle, anathema to the current government and the overwhelming majority of Israelis.
Tonight’s cabinet meeting is not just another bureaucratic gathering. It is a critical juncture that could determine the next phase of Israel’s strategy in dealing with Hamas. With international eyes watching closely, the decisions made could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and the lives of those caught in the crossfire.
Obummer is pulling the strings at the WH, andwe all know too well that he hates Israel & Netanyahu