Israel faces growing calls to scrap new Gaza offensive plans

2 comments

1. >The Israeli military has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger the lives of hostages Hamas is still holding in Gaza, believed to number around 20, and draw its troops into protracted and deadly guerilla warfare.
   >
   >Italy said Israel should heed its army’s warnings.
   >
   >”The invasion of Gaza risks turning into a Vietnam for Israeli soldiers,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in an interview with daily Il Messaggero.
   >
   >He reiterated calls for a United Nations mission led by Arab countries to “reunify the Palestinian state” and said Italy was ready to participate.
   >
   >The Security Council is likely to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the prospect of its worsening if the Israeli plan goes ahead but there has so far been little appetite among Arab states to send their troops in.

2. Backing down from the offensive now without any concessions from Hamas would just be another win for Hamas. Hamas seems to be getting the message that it doesn’t have to give up anything to get what it wants. It’ll get Palestine state recognition from more countries now without giving up hostages or surrendering, it’ll defeat an offensive before it begins without giving up hostages or surrendering, it’ll get more aid without giving up hostages or surrendering, etc. At this point will it even have to give up any hostages even after Israel is pressured to leave Gaza entirely?

Comments are closed.