Gaza: what does the expanded offensive mean?
The Israeli security cabinet has approved an expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip and the plan to take over Gaza City. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aim was not to occupy Gaza but to demilitarise the area and place it under a non-Israeli civil administration. European commentators voice numerous objections.
Better options available
Israel should rather focus on an international peace initiative, demands the Financial Times:
“The UK, France and Arab states have been formulating a plan that envisages a committee of Palestinian technocrats, backed by the PA, governing Gaza, with security overseen by local police and PA personnel. They have mooted an international 'stabilisation' force in the strip. Importantly, Arab states have finally joined their European allies in publicly acknowledging that Hamas needs to relinquish power and be disarmed. The plan is not perfect and it may not be workable. But it is far better than the alternative Netanyahu is bent on pursuing.”
No one can stop this government
Der Standard sees a key reason behind the expansion of the Gaza war:
“The prime minister is ultimately only interested in preserving his government and, by extension, securing his own political survival. It is precisely because this plan is so pointless that its implementation is a crime. The vast majority of Israelis don't want an expansion of the war, but they can't stop the government. The same goes for the international community. The fact that Israel's loyal ally Germany is suspending sales of certain military equipment sends the right signal, but will achieve nothing. Gaza remains a never-ending tragedy.”
Ball in Hamas's court
Polityka describes a scenario that could end the war:
“In short, if Hamas were to release all the hostages and lay down its arms and its fighters were to leave Gaza voluntarily (assuming, of course, that there were countries willing to take them in, as in the past), it would fulfil Israel's demands and thus deprive it of its arguments [for continuing the war]. If the abductees were to return home, Netanyahu could declare the promised 'complete victory' in this war. Paradoxically, Hamas would also benefit from this – as the side that has de facto ended the conflict and brought relief to two million Palestinians.”