As Hamas Approves New Ceasefire Plan, Netanyahu Goes to War

UPDATE: Much of this post was written before Netanyahu began his promised invasion of Gaza a few hours ago.

Israel has invaded Gaza. It’s called up 60,000 reservists for the operation (despite hundreds refusing to return to Gaza after their previous tours there).

Hamas announced within the past few days that it had accepted a new ceasefire proposal by Qatar and Egypt.  They were apparently attempting to forestall Netanyahu’s impending bloodbath. This was his “answer.”  He could not permit pressure to build against him to respond to the proposal, so he slapped the mediators in the face by sending in the troops.

The Qataris and Egyptians had hoped they could stave off yet another mass slaughter.  Pro-Israel media claim that Hamas accepted the terms out of something like desperation. The terms were a significant retreat from its earlier conditions (permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and resumption of humanitarian aid), under pressure from the mediators.  The deal it accepted offers a 60-day ceasefire and return of “some” of the hostages.  It had an added provision for further negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire at the end of the 60-day truce.  We know how that went in an earlier ceasefire.  Israel rejected even talking about a next phase.

The Washington Post’s story linked above illustrates its pro-Israel coverage. It quotes WINEP, an Aipac think tank, and its resident Arab “expert,” with excellent pro-Israel credentials. It also includes comment from a figure associated with Mohammed Dahlan, the “butcher” of Gaza. Finally, it reports yet again on purported internal protests against Hamas. The slogan of this “movement” is “stop the war at any cost.”  Ironically, this is the cry of Israeli protesters, who are summarily dismissed by Judeo-Nazi government warmongers and beaten by their Brownshirt police.

Israel’s invasion shows that this entire enterprise was an exercise in futility.  Netanyahu desperately needs the war to continue for political and legal reasons.  As long as it rages, his government will not fall and he will remain in power till 2026 elections.  The war will also stave off the corruption trials, which could topple him if he is convicted.

For him, war means survival. Peace means political oblivion.  He must do anything, even commit genocide, in order to save his ass.  It is a sociopathic, megalomaniacal perspective. Only Netanyahu matters.  He is the country’s savior without whom “it will burn,” as his wife has said.  Gaza, the region, and even Israel itself are burning with him as its leader. It is a bit of circular reasoning, the Ourboros snake eating itself.

There is no reason for the prime minister to budge from his intransigeance. No one stands against him. The world is mute. What few protests there are from national leaders are feeble; not backed by concrete actions like sanctions or suspension of arms shipments.  Maximum pressure and punishment is the only language bullies understand. Without it, you have nothing.

The Trump administration has washed its hands of the entire process. Its negotiator, Steve Witkoff announced he was withdrawing and Trump called on Israel to “finish the job.”  Witkoff claimed, disingenuously, that he abandoned the talks because Hamas “lacked a desire for peace.”  A ridiculous statement considering the slaughter inflicted on the Palestinian people. Hamas no more wants to continue this war than those Israeli protesters.  Everyone–on both sides–wants the killing to end.

But of course, Trump’s aide cannot blame the real culprit, Israel. The latter maintains a maximalist position and rejects every proposal presented to it. For decades its leaders have rejected proposals presented by Bush, Clinton and Obama.  Trump hasn’t even bothered to produce a comprehensive peace proposal, because he doesn’t want to continue the failures of previous administrations.  With him, failure is not an option.  Avoid it at all costs.

The US is the only party that can stop the slaughter.  It refuses to act. Both Biden and Trump made past proposals, but never mounted the level of pressure needed to force Netanyahu to acquiesce. The US bandoning the whole process left Israel entirely in control. Thus, this ceasefire proposal will go the way of all the others.  Consigned to the trash bin of shattered dreams.

The ceasefire, however well-meaning its mediators’ intentions, is a sham. It raises hopes, then dashes them.  It creates further misery for the 2-million Gazans dying in the myriad  ways Israel has devised to kill them.