A trickle of aid has been starting to flow into Gaza. But nowhere near enough. Israel’s tactics seem clear. Its prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu spelled it out earlier this week. He said that it was international pressure which necessitated allowing some aid in, while simultaneously pledging to expand Israel’s military campaign
Netanyahu’s purpose was not to help in a humanitarian crisis, not to feed starving children, not to respond to a moral and legal imperative on an occupying power to safeguard civilians under its control. In the face of an international PR problem, he said he was determined to guarantee continued support for the renewed offensive on Gaza and for his reaffirmed objective of a “total victory” over Hamas.
In effect, he wants to guarantee his ability to wage a disproportionate war, to continue to kill indiscriminately – 53,000 so far, mainly civilians, women and Gaza’s children.
The prime minister explained that the “war and victory plan” is now “to take control of the entire territory.” His far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich explained that the humanitarian concessions were not a sign of weakening. “We’re occupying, cleansing and staying there until Hamas is destroyed…. On our way to destroying Hamas, we are destroying everything that’s left of the Strip.”
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Understandably, Palestinians fear the aid distribution scheme is tailored to the unstated objective of forcing the entire population to relocate across the border to Egypt in what would amount to an ethnic cleansing. On Thursday the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for 14 areas in Northern Gaza.
There are signs of growing pressure on Israel amid a febrile international environment, reflected in the appalling murder of two Israeli diplomats in Washington DC on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the decision by Israeli soldiers to fire so-called “warnings shots” at a group of international diplomats visiting the West Bank has further raised the diplomatic temperature.
Israel’s all-too-silent friends in the international community, even the US, may finally be saying to it that its war on Gaza has gone too far. In a strong statement from France, the UK, and Canada, Israel was warned that a refusal to lift the humanitarian blockade may now result in, albeit unspecified, “action”. Sanctions are being spoken of. France has joined the states, like Ireland, who argue the time is right for the recognition of the state of Palestine. Donald Trump has reportedly told the Saudis that he will oppose any mass deportation from Gaza, voluntary or forced.
But the world has stood and watched for far too long, failing to put real pressure on Israel to relent and to allow in aid. The UN appears unable to act. In the face of such international inaction, the people of Gaza will fear they face a bleak future.
