When the Iron Sword War began, the rule set by government ministers was "humanitarian for humanitarian". In this spirit, the supply of water and electricity from Israel to Gaza was cut off, and Israeli warning bombs fell near the Rafah crossing, hinting to Egypt that not a drop of supplies would enter the Gaza Strip from its side either.
Netanyahu: "After the war, Gaza will no longer be a threat" // GPO
However, in the wall erected six weeks ago, breaches were cracked. It is Israel itself that pumps water into the southern Gaza Strip. Food and medicine pass through Rafah Crossing. And as of Friday, the small cabinet also approved the introduction of fuel on a large scale.
"There will be no ceasefire without the release of our abductees"
"There is no fuel entry, no workers and there will be no ceasefire without the release of our abductees," Netanyahu said. "I ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel. Everything is closed," Gallant announced.
And now, they and the other decision-makers are reversing, violating an explicit decision by the broad cabinet that no fuel will enter Gaza, and taking a serious risk that Hamas will receive oxygen, literally, for the continuation of the fighting.
Minister of Finance Bezalzel Smotrich, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Given this retreat from the initial position, the first thing the War Cabinet must do is diversity. Smotrich rightly wrote to Netanyahu on Friday that "the policy of war is determined by those who for years were part of the conception that shattered us all in our faces with Simchat Torah."
Since Smotrich's demand to add him to the war cabinet will cause serious political problems, since this is a pill Gantz will find difficult to swallow, it is necessary to compromise on Gideon Sa'ar.
The latter had already contributed greatly when he proposed at the beginning of the war the establishment of an expanded security zone enveloping the Gaza Strip. Sa'ar also knew at the time to oppose the entry of workers from Gaza and criticized the weak results of Operation Protective Edge. This is a civilian minister, with a lot of experience and depth perception, who can brainstorm.
Heavy pressure from the West
The main reason Israel allows fuel into Gaza is heavy pressure from the West. Our leaders probably don't want to get to a situation where the United States is forced to choose between continuing to support us and the humanitarian aid that is so important to it. Therefore, her pleas were again heeded.
Destruction in the Gaza Strip after IDF strikes, photo: AP
However, the creeping devaluation of Israeli positions is beginning to create cumulative damage, both in terms of war and in the long term. As long as Israel continues to have its hands on the shelter in Gaza, it reclaims responsibility for it.
This is contrary to the initial intention to hold the international community responsible for the peace of the Gazans. In fact, what the world is telling us is that the fate of this population must already be considered.
Contrary to what we thought, the situation of these refugees – among whom many Hamas members are hiding – is already knocking on our door, eroding the starting positions with which we started the war.
In order to halt the deterioration, we must start working towards long-term solutions. For example, a quiet deal with Egypt that would settle at least some Gazans in the west of the country. Voluntary immigration to Western countries, proposed by Danon and Ben-Barak, is also a welcome idea.
The War Cabinet must adhere to the decisions and principles it established at the outset, and not compromise on measures that weaken Israel and help Hamas.
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