Biden administration's bold step towards transforming Israel's battle against Hamas
Biden administration urges Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, sparking renewed combat with Hamas A crucial step in reshaping the ongoing conflict
Israel had resumed combat operations against Hamas, and the United States had pressured Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, marking a significant diplomatic move in the conflict that had lasted over 50 days. The main question now is whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is willing to listen if a seven-day truce is officially broken.
During private discussions in Jerusalem, Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed American expectations to Netanyahu and his war cabinet. In a public statement in Tel Aviv, Blinken made the Biden administration's stance unmistakably clear, emphasizing the need to prevent the significant loss of civilian life and displacement experienced in Northern Gaza from happening again in the South. This occurred just hours before the expiration of a seven-day ceasefire, during which over 100 hostages were released by Hamas.
Blinken emphasized the need for Israel to establish civilian protection plans before resuming major military operations, with a specific focus on safeguarding hospitals, power stations, and facilities to minimize harm to innocent Palestinians. While Netanyahu has agreed to take steps to protect civilians, the key questions remain whether these efforts will be genuine and effective, and to what extent Israeli leaders are willing to accommodate US concerns. The Israel Defense Forces announced on Friday that they have resumed operations against Hamas, citing violations of the agreement and attacks on Israel.
Blinken's discussions with high-ranking Israeli officials occurred on a day when signs of the ceasefire becoming more precarious were on the rise.
His straightforward approach differed from the initially more advisory tone of the Biden administration's public comments during the early stages of the war. Heartbreaking scenes of violence and destruction in Gaza prompted intense domestic criticism of the White House from grassroots, young, and progressive voters less than a year before the 2024 election.
Recent statements from US officials, both in private and in interviews with journalists, have emphasized the importance of Israel taking greater precautions to protect Gazans during the ongoing conflict. This signals a more assertive effort by the US to assert influence in the situation, particularly as it helped facilitate a ceasefire to ensure the safety of many Gaza residents. Additionally, the US administration appears to be skeptical of Israel's assurances that it is doing everything possible to minimize civilian casualties in its response to the recent Hamas attack that claimed the lives of 1,200 people. During discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary of State Blinken emphasized the significance of both intent and results in the efforts to safeguard civilians.
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Families of Hamas' American hostages were asked about Israel killing Palestinian civilians. Hear their response
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The Biden administration makes a significant move
Blinken explicitly stated that the United States is urging Israel to allow the civilians who fled to southern Gaza during the initial wave of fighting to return north before Israel resumes its military operations. He also called for the creation of safe zones in the densely populated south to enable Palestinians to seek refuge from Israeli airstrikes. These details were first reported by CNN's MJ Lee, Jennifer Hansler, and Katie Bo Lillis on Wednesday.
Aaron David Miller, a Middle East peace negotiator for several US presidents, observed a notable change in the administration's language.
In an interview with CNN International on Thursday, Miller stated, "The administration, from the president on down, is publicly conveying the message that if the Israelis are going to persist with this campaign for any substantial period, they will have to confront two realities."
Firstly, refrain from targeting areas with high civilian populations. Secondly, ensure that humanitarian aid continues to flow to the roughly 50-60% of Gazans who have been forced out of their homes, many of whom are in the same areas where Israeli military operations are taking place.
The Biden administration's firm approach towards Israel carries potential consequences. While it may ease some domestic political pressure from the left, President Joe Biden will face criticism from Republicans who will accuse him of limiting Israel's right to self-defense in the aftermath of a brutal terrorist attack. The strong emphasis on reducing civilian casualties by the US could also be used by Hamas in its ongoing efforts to use civilian infrastructure as a shield for its military activities.
If Blinken's warnings are ignored by the Israelis, the Biden administration will appear weak. If there are once again incidents of Israeli forces besieging hospitals or bombing residential areas, resulting in the deaths of many innocent Palestinians, the president's critics are unlikely to recall the subtleties of Blinken's remarks in Israel.
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U.S. urges Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties
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Netanyahus dilemma
The escalating pressure from the US presents a new layer to Israel's political, military, and moral predicament as it weighs its options. Families of individuals believed to be held captive in Gaza are pushing for Netanyahu to delay a new offensive until all captives are released, a decision that could tilt the conflict in favor of Hamas and take weeks to resolve. The price that Hamas may demand for the return of Israeli soldiers is likely to exceed the current exchange rate with the Israeli government. Additionally, Netanyahu's leadership has been weakened by the recent Hamas attacks, compounded by a New York Times report suggesting that the plans for the assault were known well in advance. It remains unclear whether Netanyahu and other top leaders were aware of the plan.
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NYT reporter says Israel knew Hamas's attack plan over a year ago
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Netanyahu vowed to eradicate Hamas, regardless of the group's extensive network of tunnels in Gaza and their presence in civilian areas. The question remains whether Israel's operational needs align with US "imperatives" as stated by Blinken.
In light of a potential second wave of fighting in Gaza, Israel's international standing will rely heavily on US support. Should Israel be held accountable for reigniting the war, the country may face isolation on the global stage.
At home, Netanyahu faces intense political pressure from the hard-right members of his coalition, crucial for his tenuous grip on power. Israel perceives itself as battling for its very existence and that of the Jewish people. Despite skepticism from foreign powers about this view of the conflict with Hamas, it is a mindset that could lead Israel to justify any actions.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told "CNN News Central" on Thursday that "we are doing what is necessary and doing our best to minimize casualties. But there is no easy solution. If anyone has one, please let us know and we will use it."
Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, informed CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the Israeli cabinet had provided maps to Blinken outlining humanitarian safe zones in the southern part of the Gaza Strip where civilians could seek refuge. He also stated that Israel would ensure the continued flow of aid to Gazan civilians.
"We are committed to relentlessly pursuing Hamas, but at the same time, we will take measures to protect the civilian population in Gaza from being caught in the crossfire between the IDF and the terrorists. Additionally, we will work to facilitate the entry of essential aid such as food, water, and medicine to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza," he said.
The truth is, engaging in high intensity warfare in a densely populated area like Gaza almost always leads to catastrophic outcomes. Washington will closely monitor Israel's actions, as its past efforts to protect civilians have not met the standards accepted by much of the world.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
