Ground offensive in Gaza City: the end of diplomacy?
The Israeli army has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City that aims to completely eliminate Hamas forces in the area, according to a military spokesman. Hundreds of thousands of residents are trying to flee the city. The EU has called for a stop to the 'cycle of violence, destruction and suffering', while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed doubts that the Gaza war can be ended through diplomatic means.
Beyond reason
Netanyahu seems deaf to all reason, comments the Tages-Anzeiger:
“According to media reports, even the army chief had warned the government of the dangers of the offensive in the Palestinian city with its millions of inhabitants – for both hostages and soldiers. Netanyahu ordered it to go ahead anyway. ... Only last week he ordered an attack on the Gulf state Qatar, the US ally that has acted as a mediator in the ceasefire negotiations so far. ... Not only abroad, but also within Israel, there is growing concern that the state under Netanyahu is isolating itself for good, that its right-wing religious government will become an unpredictable, unstoppable factor in the Middle East, no longer open to diplomacy or debate within Israel. This development jeopardises the region – and, in the long term, the safety of Jews.”
Victory is an illusion
Israel's government has completely misjudged the situation, La Stampa explains:
“Israel has the right to defend itself, but a doctrine based on total force risks ignoring the logic of asymmetric wars in which every military victory can produce a strategic defeat. Hamas will not be wiped out by tanks: it can rise again from the rubble. Israel runs the risk of winning the battle and yet losing the war: every metre gained in Gaza could lead to diplomatic losses in the region and turn tactical successes into serious strategic costs vis-à-vis the US, the Arab world and Europe.”
Rubio's thumbs-up
Avvenire condemns the US's handling of the conflict:
“Israel, what are you doing? one wants to shout out. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has just met with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. American support against Hamas is guaranteed. Rubio leaves: from the steps of the plane he waves, smiles happily and raises his thumb in a victorious gesture. He could at least have spared us that thumbs-up just a few kilometres away from the hellish sky above Gaza, from the column of poor wretches fleeing. From those who are no longer even fleeing. They've already lost everything that can be taken from a human being.”
US not a mediator but an accomplice
La Libre Belgique also believes the US is playing an ignominious role:
“Trump's America is condoning a spiral that can only lead to more chaos, deeper hatred and lasting instability throughout the region. The US poses as a mediator but behaves like an accomplice. It propagates a sham diplomacy. ... Netanyahu's government makes a mockery of international law and the protection of civilians. It has opted for the logic of the worst, where inhumanity is met with inhumanity. Gaza is burning, and the credibility and usefulness of the United Nations are crumbling along with it. What will remain of Gaza, if not ruins, a breeding ground for hatred and the cradle of endless revenge?”
Leaving behind a trail of destruction
Polityka fears Gaza City may soon no longer exist:
“The goal is to 'destroy Hamas', but it's difficult to resist the impression that, along with Hamas, everything else is also to be destroyed, as we have already seen elsewhere. Once it had invaded an area the Israeli army systematically demolished building after building, leaving cities such as Rafah and Beit Hanoun in ruins. Gaza City will now no doubt suffer the same fate.”