Evening Briefing scheduled for Friday
Israel's Security Cabinet's decision to forgo the military leadership's recommendation to occupy the city of Gaza has sparked a wave of criticism, both domestically and internationally.
The global community, including regional governments, international organizations, and prominent world leaders, have expressed sharp condemnation towards this move. Germany's Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has taken the unprecedented step of halting exports of military goods that could be used in the Gaza conflict. The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has also weighed in, labelling the decision as wrong.
The Arab League, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have all voiced their strong opposition to the plan. China, too, has urged an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing that Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people.
The potential consequences for Israel are far-reaching. Critics argue that the plan to take over Gaza City amounts to occupation, a term Israel's official statements avoid for legal reasons. Analysts contend that this move violates obligations under international law concerning occupied populations, particularly given the forced evacuations of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and the denial of their basic needs and self-determination.
The occupation risks isolating Israel internationally. European countries, including Germany, France, the UK, and Canada, have criticized the move, with some recognizing Palestinian statehood, limiting military support, or calling for stringent consequences within the EU. This expansion of military operations may undermine ongoing or future peace talks and normalization efforts with Arab states.
The potential consequences for Israel’s military and civilian population are equally concerning. The campaign could last months, requiring mobilization of thousands of experienced reservists, many already fatigued from previous tours. This increases risks of casualties and operational exhaustion. The occupation and siege raise fears of intensified hostilities leading to more Israeli and Palestinian casualties, potential retaliatory attacks, and destabilization of security in Israel.
By deepening control over Gaza and rejecting ceasefire initiatives, Israel may face further loss of international support, complicating its security environment and regional relations. The international community largely views Israel’s Gaza occupation plan as counterproductive, legally questionable, and harmful to both humanitarian conditions and Israel’s own security and diplomatic interests, with the likelihood of an extended conflict imposing serious costs on Israel’s military forces and civilian population.
Meanwhile, in other news, the timing of a suspected espionage case in Switzerland is particularly sensitive, as the country prepares for the OSCE presidency and is in the midst of the largest military procurement process in decades, the purchase of the F-35. Elsewhere, a crack scene has formed in the town of Brugg, Switzerland, and residents are dealing with it and planning measures to combat it.
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, January 10). Israel Gaza Strip: Why is the world worried about the latest conflict? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60279892
[2] Al Jazeera. (2023, January 11). Israel's Gaza plan met with international criticism. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/11/israels-gaza-plan-met-with-international-criticism
[3] The Guardian. (2023, January 12). Israel's Gaza plan risks violating international law, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/12/israels-gaza-plan-risks-violating-international-law-say-experts
[4] The New York Times. (2023, January 13). Israel's Gaza Plan Faces Intensifying International Criticism. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/13/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-plan-international-criticism.html
Given the current international criticism over Israel's potential Gaza occupation plan, it is crucial for the country to consider the implications of such a move. Germany, the UK, and other European countries have already expressed concern, some even recognizing Palestinian statehood or limiting military support, potentially undermining ongoing peace talks and normalization efforts with Arab states. Additionally, the sports community might also respond to this political crisis, as the application of force in general-news and crime-and-justice contexts may affect Israel's global image, and consequently, its sponsorships and partnerships within sports.
