Why Netanyahu’s Gaza takeover merits substantial pushback

Israeli war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu has spared no effort to advance a “full takeover” of Gaza, affirming his criminal Zionist setup’s support for a deeply entrenched occupation. For all the talk about reaching a ceasefire, the understanding – reportedly communicated in a high-level meeting with Israeli officials – scores home the view that Netanyahu, a principal obstacle to enduring peace, needs to be met with firm consequences.

Palestinian lives and liberties are not to be taken for granted, and a resistance born out of defying the criminal colonial rule has substantial incentive to push back against this blatant takeover plot. “You [Netanyahu] are going to create a trap in Gaza,” remarked Israeli Occupation Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir recently, while conveying that Netanyahu risks significantly endangering the lives of the hostages and can cause the army to weaken its ranks.

Thus, as cracks between Netanyahu and the Israeli armed forces widen, and genocidal intent becomes more evident, there is significant incentive for international outcry to tighten the screws on the Zionist regime. The same regime that favors a near-permanent, violent occupation.

First, there is evidence to suggest that the takeover plan is Netanyahu’s bid to court the favor of Israeli far-right extremists. Members within his own ranks have for months called for an escalation of a brutal genocide that has raised substantial alarm, from the United Nations to on-ground journalists. Both of whom have witnessed “Israel’s” deliberate starvation, attack tactics, and mass Palestinian casualties. By using an entrenched occupation as the regime’s own prerogative, even “Israel’s” staunchest supporters, such as France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, need to be met with strong pressure from human rights groups, grass-roots advocates, and defiant pro-Palestinian voices. The same assets that have helped shape public opinion against genocide sponsorship.

Netanyahu, who has a history of trying to step up tensions within his coalition and with the occupation military, appears to be using the occupation plot as a political maneuver to save domestic face. It shows in his reckless decision to fire Gali Baharav-Miara, the attorney general tasked with prosecution in the current corruption case. Add to it the growing unease in Washington over the current state of the war, and it is understandable that Netanyahu is using Gaza as a deflection tactic to score points at home and prevent central criticism of his leadership, including on the conduct of the genocide, from taking center stage.

So far, international outcry has focused on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza without imposing significant repercussions on the occupation itself. Look to US-backed plans to undercut UN aid distribution operations in Gaza: despite some reservations, the Zionist regime did push forward with its brutal operations, and provided an inlet for its aggressive forces to shoot and attack under the garb of assistance distribution. This is important because the claim made by Netanyahu isn’t just rhetoric at play: it demonstrates a conscious intent to encroach upon the liberties of a population that has been a target of unspeakable atrocities, war crimes and genocidal conduct, not just post October 7, but for decades.

For these reasons, power circles focused on “Israel” and the war need to open up their wings. France’s stated recognition of Palestine should be backed by near to no concessions for the Zionist regime, regardless of these being seen as some strange “compromises” to promote movement towards Palestinian autonomy. Penalties, including formal castigation of Israeli war criminals and the occupation leadership privy to the takeover plans, need to be imposed with the consent of rights watchdogs. This includes members of the UN who uncovered these notorious anti-Palestinian designs months ago. Movement towards targeted sanctions already became evident back in May, with scores of lawyers calling for sanctions on “Israel” over Gaza.

International outcry is also critical to prevent further disruption in credible, effective relief operations by entities on ground. Look to the catastrophic damage imposed by the “Israel”-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: it was a step towards circumventing the operations of the United Nations, an entity with widespread international consensus to help ameliorate the suffering of over 2 million Gazans. Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition could easily read the occupation push as an attempt to entrench “Israel’s” illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, and thereby, seek to secure full immunity for the unspeakable suffering and future injustices. “All States must act decisively to prevent Israel’s destruction of the conditions of life in Gaza and stop its endless war on humanity,” said UN experts recently. “States must do everything in their power to restore the UN humanitarian system in Gaza.”

The momentum so far has been disappointing. Despite talks of airdrops and intermittent funding for UN operations, it is clear that “Israel” has enough space to circumvent international scrutiny to continue its present status quo of brutal genocidal atrocities in Gaza.

For these reasons, countries witness to Netanyahu’s blatant Gaza takeover pledge need to put their commitments into action. If a status quo of bloodshed and unmitigated Israeli aggression is certainly a concern, little should keep these states, chiefly Western sponsors of the genocide, from imposing consequences on a coalition that prides itself on future annihilation.

BY:

Hannan Hussain