2024-05-08 14:45:10
image source, AFP
1 hour ago
We begin our tour with the British newspaper The Independent, which wrote an editorial titled “If Rafah is attacked, Israel will have nothing to offer in its unwinnable war.”
The newspaper believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a dilemma regarding the planned attack on the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. On the one hand, he faces intense pressure from US President Joe Biden, Israel’s last friends and potential allies in the region, the European Union, Britain, the rest of the international community, the judges of the International Court. of Justice, the Pope and a large part of Israeli public opinion who are thirsty for a hostage exchange agreement.
“This global coalition, without exception, implores the Israeli government not to move forward, in light of the inevitable loss of civilian lives, including children, and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis,” wrote The Independent.
This includes, according to humanitarian agencies, the spread of disease and man-made famine. As is always the case, there is the possibility of a new direct confrontation with Iran, not to mention Hezbollah, the Houthi movement and other members of the “axis of resistance”, according to the newspaper.
On the other side is “pressure from Netanyahu’s ultra-nationalist Israeli political allies, their supporters, a minority in the country and the prime minister’s short-term political future.”
“It is his political partners who can remove Netanyahu from office through rapid procedures, and even the United States cannot do that. Abandoning his allies in the (government) coalition poses a threat to his career and is something Netanyahu cannot stand. .”
The newspaper believes that Netanyahu believes his practical hypothesis and best chance of survival is to raze what remains of Gaza, claim that Hamas has been defeated – something no terrorist group can actually be exposed to – and declare victory and appeal. to Israeli voters for their support.
The Independent says: “Now, with the hostages remaining in Hamas hands, Netanyahu has become very unpopular and he cannot even avoid political disaster. He needs a symbolic victory, however costly it may be. »
“That’s why Netanyahu is pushing.” He reacted lukewarmly to the latest Egyptian ceasefire proposal, accepted by Hamas, which would lead to the return of the hostages and open the possibility of a more lasting peace – but would not necessarily give it the chance to do so. achieve. victory in his war.
The newspaper believes that “in the end, the fighting will end and the demolition of Gaza will stop, if only because there is nothing left to destroy.”
At this point, we can be sure of three things, according to the paper.
First: “There is no guarantee that Hamas, or any other similar group, will not launch another brutal terrorist act, like the one that occurred on October 7. »
Second: “Relations between Israel and its powerful neighbors like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which provide the necessary context for regional stability, will remain difficult. »
Third: “Other innocent hostages (of different nationalities) will lose their lives, in particular because of the aerial bombardments launched by the Israeli army. »
The Independent concluded by saying: “Netanyahu will have little to offer in terms of how he fights this unwinnable war, which will lead to completely counterproductive results. »
“Rafah is the last of the Hamas newspapers”
Comment on the photo, The author believes that “Hamas’ only option may now be the safe exit of Gaza’s remaining leaders and fighters.”
Let’s turn to the London newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat and an article titled “Rafah is the last of Hamas’ newspapers”, written by Saudi journalist Tariq Al-Hamid.
The author believes that “Hamas’ acceptance of the truce proposal last Monday evening and the manner in which this happened, particularly after Israel announced the evacuation of the population of Rafah that same morning, revealed that the last card Hamas bet on was Rafah itself. , and not even the Israeli hostages. »
The author believes that, according to the information and statements published throughout Monday, it appears that Hamas accepted an unagreed version of the truce, and the evidence is that “its approval surprised even the White House, the international community and I think even the mediators, and not just the Israelis.
The movement’s approval of the truce came after Israel announced on Monday morning the evacuation of some residents of Rafah, signifying the start of the Israeli invasion. It is clear that Hamas wanted to confuse Israel internally and embarrass it internationally, according to the movement. writer.
But this goal will not be achieved “because the extremist Israeli government led by Netanyahu is concerned about its survival and does not want to please anyone.”
The other thing Hamas failed to realize was that “its announcement of approving the truce in this manner revealed that its last negotiating card was Rafah, and not even the prisoners’ card.” Hamas is said to have no more than 30 hostages. , meaning the others are part of other factions or have been killed.
“All this means that Hamas’s position has become weak internationally, not to mention its weak position on the ground, and that the disaster it caused following the October 7 operation has now led to a Israeli invasion of Rafah, which returned power to Hamas. the occupation of Gaza, as was the case before 2005.”
The author believes that Hamas “as usual, misinterpreted events, Israeli behavior and the international approach… and weakened all its negotiating cards with Israel, as well as with the mediators.”
“Israel’s entry into Rafah today means that Hamas no longer needs further negotiations, but now urgently needs guarantor parties, which increases the predicament of Hamas, which seems be looking for a safe outdoor seat, and perhaps now a guarantor for a safe exit.
Tariq Al-Hamid concluded his article by saying: “As a result, Hamas’s options are now difficult and limited, and its only option may be the safe exit of what remains of its leaders and fighters from Gaza, for two reasons. that Hamas surrendered to Netanyahu – and has done so since October 7.
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