Three months in, Western diplomats try to stop Gaza war’s spread
JERUSALEM/AMMAN – Top US and European diplomats are working tirelessly to prevent further escalation of the Gaza war in the Middle East. However, as the conflict enters its third month, the challenges they face are underscored by ongoing bloodshed. Israeli aircraft targeted Palestinian militants who had attacked troops in the occupied West Bank on January 7th, resulting in the deaths of six Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials. In a separate incident, an Israeli border police officer was killed, and several others were wounded when their vehicle was hit by an explosive device in the West Bank city of Jenin. The West Bank has experienced heightened levels of unrest in the past 18 months, even before the militant Hamas group launched an attack on Israel on October 7th.
Since the retaliatory offensive on Gaza, the confrontations in the West Bank have escalated dramatically. Israeli forces aim to eradicate Hamas, resulting in devastating consequences for the people of Gaza. Over recent weeks, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, and thousands of arrests have been made. To prevent the conflict from further spreading, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the European Union’s top diplomat, Mr Josep Borrell, are separately visiting the region. Secretary Blinken, currently in Jordan, expressed the intense focus on preventing the conflict from spreading, emphasizing that it is a priority. His trip also includes visits to Turkey, Greece, Israel, the West Bank, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
At an online briefing, Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari provided an update on the offensive. He announced that Israeli forces have successfully dismantled Hamas’ military framework in northern Gaza and have eliminated approximately 8,000 militants in that area. The operation is now concentrated on dismantling Hamas in the central and southern parts of the Gaza strip. Rear Adm Hagari stated that fighting will continue throughout 2024 as part of their plan to achieve the war’s goals.
The initial attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7th resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, with 240 individuals taken hostage. Currently, more than 100 hostages are believed to still be held by Hamas. In response to international pressure and the mounting death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel has indicated a shift in its strategy by reducing its forces.
According to Palestinian health officials, the offensive has claimed the lives of 22,722 Palestinians. However, these figures do not distinguish between fighters and civilians. The health ministry did mention that 70% of Gaza’s deceased are women and individuals under 18.
The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, leaving many homes and civilian infrastructure in ruins. Furthermore, the region is facing acute shortages of food, water, and medicine.
As diplomats continue their efforts to mitigate the crisis and prevent further escalation, the situation in Gaza remains precarious. The hope is to establish a lasting peace that will bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and restore stability to the region. The international community’s engagement and commitment to finding a resolution will be crucial in achieving this shared goal.
