Yossi Schwartz ISL (RCIT section in Israel/Occupied Palestine), 08.07.2024
Let us be clear about Hamas’s new offer and the obstacles to ending the war. Biden’s plan, he claims it is a Zionist plan, is a three-stage plan, and there is no strong connection between the stages. Under the first stage of the plan– a six-week ceasefire would hold, during which the Israeli army would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza.
In the second phase, Hamas and Israel would negotiate terms for a permanent end to hostilities.
The third phase of the plan would include a permanent ceasefire, which would allow for the reconstruction of the enclave and an ultimate end to the war in which Israel has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, 70% children, and women.
The problem with this plan is that after the first stage, the Zionist monster can declare that the negotiation has failed and resume the genocide. In response, Hamas initially demanded that the cease-fire be permanent from the very beginning but Israel rejected this demand. Hamas now is ready to give up on its first demand but the three stages, especially the first and the second will be timely connected
“The New York Times reported on Saturday that Hamas sought assurances from mediating countries Egypt, Qatar, and the United States over the weekend that the talks for a permanent ceasefire, which would be held during phase one of the deal, would continue until there was an agreement on the issue”.[i]
Netanyahu, who knows that the end of the war will also be the end of his position as PM of Israel and that he is likely to be sent to jail for his corruption, is under strong pressure from different parties. The external pressure from the Western imperialists, especially the US and the pro-Palestinian mass movement, and internally from the large anti-government Israelis, many of them relatives of the Israeli captured, who demand a deal now, a large section of the capitalist class and the army as well.On Sunday, the 7th of July, amid the widespread protests, many companies and organizations announced that they would allow employees to work remotely or take part in protest actions.
The Free in Our Country organization stated that the protest will consist of three parts. The first will include protests and convoys nationwide, from morning to afternoon. The protesters plan on blocking highways 2, 4, 1, and 5, throughout the morning.
In the second part of the day of disruption, demonstrations are planned at nine central junctions, calling for the return of the hostages. In the third part, marches are planned for Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, a march with the families of the hostages will start from Begin Gate at the Kirya, and in Jerusalem, there will be a march from Sacher Park to Gaza Street 35, where the protest will take place.
At the same time, Netanyahu is under pressure from his far-right partners. He has to pretend that he agrees with Hamas’s proposal while looking at his possibilities to sabotage any permanent ceasefire. For this reason, a working-level Israeli negotiating team is expected to visit both Doha and Cairo this week, with a larger meeting held on the talks with CIA Director William Burns, who has been one of the lead negotiators. It is unclear whether the Zionist team will have any power to make decisions. This war was such a defeat for Israel that half a million Israelis escaped the country, seeking a safe place.
It is not going to be easy for Netanyahu to maneuver as the Israelis have learned that the army is using the Hanibal procedure that demands killing the soldiers who may be captured alive by Hamas” ‘There was crazy hysteria, and decisions started being made without verified information’: Documents and testimonies obtained by Haaretzreveal the Hannibal operational order, which directs the use of force to prevent soldiers being taken into captivity, was employed at three army facilities infiltrated by Hamas, potentially endangering civilians as well[ii]“
Not only this, but many Israelis begin to be aware that Israel is hiding the real number of soldiers who were killed in the war and admits only 600, while the real number is thousands. If indeed the Zionist government will be forced to accept Hamas’s offer, we can expect a lot of faked articles on the great victory of Israel.
In the real world, Hamas has won the war as Israel’s image of one of the stronger armies has been buried in Gaza. It would not take long for the big capitalist sharks to conclude that their investment in Israel was a mistake. Anyone who knows anything about sharks knows that the sharks attacked an injured shark.
Israel out of Gaza!
Exchange all for all!
Permanent ceasefire!
The only solution is a revolutionary solution!
Palestine, red and free from the river to the sea!
For the socialist federation of the Middle East!
Endnotes:
[i] https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-809131
[ii] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-07-07/ty-article/.premium/idf-ordered-hannibal-directive-on-october-7-to-prevent-hamas-taking-soldiers-captive/00000190-89a2-d776-a3b1-fdbe45520000 .