Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s choice to have the Israeli military take control of Gaza City is receiving heavy criticism.
In fact, many see it as a terrible idea, though perhaps not the worst when weighed against other options.
On the other hand, there’s Hamas, which has consistently wielded power in Gaza.
What could be even worse? If lenient Western leaders were to support anti-Semitism at the UN, essentially rewarding Hamas’ actions by making Gaza the focal point of a future Palestinian state.
Netanyahu, who has some backing yet lacks universal support, seems cornered by a global wave of anti-Jewish sentiment.
Israel’s isolation is stark—it’s approaching two years since Hamas’ attack that resulted in a significant loss of Jewish lives, the worst in a single day since the Holocaust.
Yet, Israel has faced backlash for its efforts to counteract the war ignited by Hamas.
Clearly, the current path of ineffectual negotiations with Hamas regarding a ceasefire isn’t sustainable.
Just days after the White House expressed optimism about a potential deal, it became evident that Hamas was sidestepping negotiations.
President Trump commented, highlighting that Hamas seems uninterested in reaching an agreement, saying, “They prefer to die, which is really troubling,” adding that it’s time to take decisive action.
When asked about Israel fully occupying Gaza, Trump noted, “I can’t really speak to that; it feels like it’s heading in that direction.”
The Last Card We Left
An aide revealed that the president, who has criticized Netanyahu, was particularly affected by a video showing a hostage situation that involved a young Israeli.
This incident seemed to push him towards urging Israel to take necessary steps.
It’s probably the only sensible approach, as Hamas has shown no genuine interest in ceasefires or any agreements that Israel could consider.
Against this backdrop, it’s tough to dispute Netanyahu’s assertion that increasing military pressure might alter Hamas’ calculations.
An aide stated, “We’re prepared to endure what we must, but we don’t have many options left.”
Additionally, the humanitarian aid system is flawed, as many aid trucks have been seized by Hamas operatives before reaching civilians.
While these aid deliveries are crucial, a recent UN report indicated that from May to August, over 2,600 trucks crossed into Gaza, but only 300 actually arrived at their destination. The rest were intercepted and looted.
They Want Casualties
Notably, the UN report refrained from identifying who was stealing aid, vaguely blaming “armed actors or desperate individuals.”
“Armed actors,” of course, can refer to Hamas, but the UN seems reluctant to say it outright.
Despite this, Israel is frequently accused of deliberately starving women and children.
It’s possible someone might intentionally starve civilians, but that isn’t Israel’s approach.
Indeed, the entire aid debate arises from the disproven notion that it’s Israel’s responsibility to feed civilians, a direct result of Hamas’s tactics of using them as human shields.
As Netanyahu pointed out, “They want civilians to be victims. They prefer the suffering they inflict, and we’re committed to putting a stop to it.”
Regrettably, much of the Western media appears to align with perspectives akin to Al Jazeera, often echoing Hamas’s narratives and criticizing Israel in the process.
The New York Times, for instance, featured a story highlighting malnutrition in Gaza. Initially, a caption claimed a child was starving due to Israeli actions.
However, five days later, the paper issued a note stating that they learned the child had other existing health issues.
War Crimes
The Times hasn’t clarified why they couldn’t verify the basic facts before printing claims that ultimately mischaracterized the situation regarding Israel.
This lapse exemplifies a worrying trend where initial errors lead to gross misrepresentations instead of clarifications after-the-fact.
Israel’s struggle isn’t just against Hamas but also against many Western nations and their media outlets, which likely prompted Netanyahu’s plan for acquiring Gaza City.
The resolution indicates that the local population will have until October 7 to evacuate, a date chosen with notable intent.
As expected, Hamas swiftly condemned Netanyahu’s strategy, labeling it a “war crime” and vowing to make the repercussions heavy.
Germany has also voiced its opposition and is considering a partial arms embargo against Israel.
This situation is precarious, and how Israel responds could be pivotal.
Netanyahu mentioned that he plans to hand Gaza over to unspecified “Arab forces” following Hamas’ defeat.
That seems straightforward, though it might just be a bluff directed at Arab nations.
To date, no Arab country has stepped forward to assist, despite their claims of caring for the Palestinians.
In reality, these nations, much like the rest of the world, often only denounce Israel.
