Status: 08.11.2023, 10:41 a.m.
By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi
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In the war against Hamas, Israel clearly rejects all calls for a ceasefire. Former head of government Ehud Barak warns: Time is running out.
Tel Aviv – As part of the offensive against Hamas, the Israeli military is intensifying attacks on Gaza – both from the air and from the ground. In the background of the war in Israel, there are also persistent diplomatic discussions and demands for a humanitarian ceasefire, but the Israeli government wants nothing to do with it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want a ceasefire until all hostages are released in the hands of Hamas.
Israel's offensive in Gaza: Ex-Prime Minister Barak expresses concern
However, one of his predecessors, Ehud Barak, sees growing pressure on Israel in the international community. It is a "long and difficult war," he told the US daily Politico. At the same time, however, he warned: "The window is closing. It is clear that we are moving in the direction of friction with the Americans on the offensive." While the U.S. cannot "dictate" to Israel what it must do, Israel cannot ignore its most important ally either. Since Hamas' bloody attack on October 7, the U.S. has stepped up its supply of weapons and ammunition to Israel and provided financial resources.
Gradually, however, Israel's supporters in US politics are increasingly calling for a ceasefire – including President Joe Biden. Most recently, the Israeli news portal Walla News reported that Biden had called on Netanyahu to announce a three-day ceasefire during a telephone conversation on Monday (6 November). In this way, Hamas could be encouraged to fully ascertain the names of all hostages and also to release more hostages, according to the portal's diplomatic sources.
Israel's ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak. © Afp
War in Israel: Ehud Barak sees loss of "international opinion"
Barak fears that sympathy for Israel is now gradually waning in the midst of the offensive in Gaza after the Hamas attack. The former prime minister and ex-army chief also gave a concrete time frame in conversation with Politico. "We will have to come to terms with the American demands within the next two to three weeks," Barak said. However, it will take longer to completely expel Hamas from the Gaza Strip: According to Barak, Israel will need months or even a whole year to do so. The high death toll of civilians and the fear of a full-scale war in the region are hampering support for Israel's war.
Barak warned Netanyahu's government in drastic terms. "We are losing international opinion in Europe and in a week or two we will start to lose the governments in Europe as well," he said, adding: "After another week, the friction with the Americans will appear." According to the ex-head of government, Israel can no longer withstand pressure from the US and Europe for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Gaza.
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After the end of the Israeli war: Multi-national Arab troops in Gaza after Hamas?
Barak also commented on the occupation of Gaza after the war, should Israel succeed in fulfilling the war goal and completely crushing Hamas. A multinational Arab peacekeeping force with "symbolic" troops from some non-Arab countries can stay in Gaza for three to six months, according to the ex-army chief. After that, Mahmoud Abbas' Palestinian Authority would take over, at least that's Barak's idea.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed on Tuesday (7 November) that Israel would likely have to remain in the Gaza Strip "indefinitely" after the end of the war. No final solution for the government in Gaza has yet been determined. To do this, however, Hamas must first be defeated. (bb)