Netanyahu Remains Unclear On Post-War Plans For Gaza

United States (U.S.) Air Force General C.Q. Brown said that Israel has yet to give details on its post-war plans in Gaza, in a July 25th statement following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress in Washington, D.C. Netanyahu attempted to encourage U.S. support for Israel in a turbulent political landscape following the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden’s drop from the presidential race. Many congresspeople, largely Democrats, did not attend the address, expressing their dissatisfaction with the Israeli government’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. Significant protests invoking responses of tear gas and batons from law enforcement took place outside of Congress during Netanyahu’s arrival and speech.

General Brown, who also serves as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, “As far as the day after, we have talked to the Israelis about this, how to make a transition. We’ve talked to them a number of times.” Despite the lack of clarity up to this point in the war, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “we are at the point where we’re talking with [Israel] and they’re putting forward some ideas.” Netanyahu made little mention of Israel’s post-war plans in the enclave, despite reiterating his definition of an Israeli victory: “Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and its rule in Gaza and bring all our hostages home. That’s what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less.” The Israeli Prime Minister was received with frequent applause in the chamber during his speech; however, many other officials were critical, including former speaker Nancy Pelosi, who called the speech “the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress.”

Israel’s lack of clarity on its plans in Gaza after the war is quite concerning with regard to long-term peace. Ceasefire negotiations have also been difficult due to a lack of compromise from both Israel and Hamas. These factors will likely push both sides into an even more protracted war and fail to resolve the underlying tensions that have existed since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The Israeli government seems primarily interested in victory over Hamas while neglecting to prioritize the rescue of hostages from Gaza, which has angered Israeli citizens. Israel has conducted bombings in Gaza while being unaware of whether or not it would accidentally kill the hostages.

Israel has been at war with Hamas since October 7th, when Hamas members attacked and killed about 1,200 in Israel and took some 250 hostages. Recent peace talks have fluctuated between progress and failure at the hands of both parties due to changing demands, new attacks, and bureaucratic obstacles. Netanyahu has found difficulty in his attempts to both meet the demands of his people and satisfy far-right Israeli officials.

As criticism of Israel’s actions increase internationally and domestically from Israeli citizens, Netanyahu must decisively move towards ending the conflict, returning hostages, and planning for post-war Gaza. He continues to isolate himself and his country by allowing the conflict to drag on, and it would be both in the interest of Israel and of the people of Gaza for the prime minister to make peace a priority in the region. See more on the Israel-Palestine conflict Crisis Index page here.

Benjamin Bigcraft

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