War in the Middle East: Long-haul Gaza Battle Talks
Tensions are mounting as Israel grapples with international pressure to show leniency towards the civilians in Gaza while simultaneously vowing to prolong the war against Hamas with the US.
The recent statements from the US President Joe Biden and his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during their meeting in Tel Aviv emphasized the need for Izrael to prioritize saving lives of the innocent population in Gaza, while still targeting Hamas. This didn't discourage Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant, who affirmed the war would span "more than a few months."
Netanyahu's Battle Cry
Hamas has constructed a "difficult-to-destroy infrastructure" both above and beneath the ground, stated Galant at the meeting, culminating in a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the other war cabinet members. In this gathering, Netanyahu substantiated Israel's commitment to continuing their conflict with Hamas until they "achieve absolute victory."
Following Sullivan's meeting, anticipations are high for a shift from the intense Israeli ground offensive to more targeted operations in the "near future," according to John Kirby, the US National Security Council Communications Director in Washington. Determined not to give the Islamist Hamas extra information, Kirby refused to specify a timeline or elaborate on the nature of these targeted operations.
Army's Response Strategy
Renowned Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari shed some light on the counter-tactics employed by the IDF, revealing the existence of new combat methods to eliminate Hamas terrorists hiding within the extensive network of tunnels. Placing explosives strategically in frequented areas within the underground tunnels, Hagari illustrated their intent to neutralize the terrorists when the ideal opportunity arises.
US media sources revealed successful flood-testing of some of the tunnels using seawater as a potential large-scale deterrent for the damage of the tunnel network. Israel asserts that several terrorists and hostages are hiding in the vast tunnel system, which give them a resilient defense against aerial attacks due to their subterranean depths and booby traps.
Mediating the Future
As the tensions continue, US Security Advisor Jake Sullivan plans to meet with both Israeli President Izchak Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in separate meetings to discuss the security situation in Gaza. In anticipation of the war’s conclusion and the future of the Gaza Strip, Sullivan suggests the Palestinian Authority's security forces could "act as a foundation" for several months.
The escalation of conflicts between Israel and Hamas led to the deadliest incident in Israel's history, with over 1,200 lives lost and around 240 hostages transported to Gaza. Israel responded with aerial strikes, culminating in a ground offensive at year's end. Currently, Hamas reports around 18,700 deaths from attacks in the Gaza Strip.
Hostage Retrieval Considerations
With the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza under international scrutiny, Israel is under mounting pressure - even from the US - to retrieve the 135 remaining hostages held by Hamas. The Israeli army is resolute in its continued efforts to bring all hostages home, as recently emphasized by army spokesman Daniel Hagari. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also urged the Red Cross to apply pressure in gaining access to the Hamas hostages.
Upcoming Events:
- US Security Advisor will meet with Israeli President Izchak Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
- UN aid organizations provide information on the situation in the Gaza Strip in Geneva
- Sources:
