Netanyahu's 'security rule in Gaza', White House's 'limitation of armed conflict' clashes, 'pause' stalemate
Negotiations on a ‘temporary suspension of attacks’ seem to have stalled as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu declared ‘responsible governance of Gaza’s security’ and the White House clashed over ‘civilian protection under the Armed Conflict Intervention Act’.
In an interview with ABC on the 6th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of the Gaza Strip after the war with Hamas, "Israel will assume overall security responsibility for an undetermined period of time," and regarding the "temporary suspension," he said, "We will not allow the inflow of humanitarian supplies or hostages." “We will check the situation for escape,” he said, adding, “I don’t think there will be a general ceasefire.”
When asked by reporters on the 6th whether the United States, which provides many weapons to Israel, is responsible for civilian casualties, White House National Security Council (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator (Spokesperson) John Kirby said, "We are right next to them when they draw up their target list." The New York Times reported on the 6th that he replied, “I will not sit there,” and “This is their fight.”
In an interview with CBS' "Face the Nation" on the 5th, White House Deputy National Security Advisor John Finer said, "The United States is exerting influence, but they are doing it quietly," and added, "Every time we transfer security assistance to any country, including Israel, we are at risk of an armed conflict." “We build guarantees under the law, and when we see situations and events that concern us, we raise our concerns directly with the Israeli government,” he said.
“And again, we will continue to do so throughout this conflict,” he said, revealing the Israeli government's response to a policy of limiting intervention under the law of armed conflict.
NSC spokesman John Kirby said in a briefing on the 11th of last month, “The U.S. government is discussing the issue of evacuation of civilians in the Gaza Strip with relevant countries,” and added, “We support the safe movement of civilians.” Civilians are not responsible for what Hamas has done. “Civilians must be protected under the laws of armed conflict and have every opportunity to avoid war,” he said.
Secretary of State Tony Blinken told reporters before boarding a private plane departing for Israel on this day, “I go to deliver a very simple and clear message on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States, and the American people,” and “We will not seek to take advantage of this situation.” We will reemphasize and confirm President Biden's very strong message delivered to all countries and groups. “That means ‘don’t do that,’” he said.
In a speech at the White House on the 10th, the day before, President Biden said, “The Department of Defense has moved the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier assault group to the Mediterranean Sea and strengthened fighter jet forces.”
"What I'm worried about is that we're giving them enough to keep fighting, but not enough to win," Retired General Douglas Root, a key figure in Afghanistan strategy under the Bush and Obama administrations, said at an event at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point last week. said.
NYT security reporter David Sanger said, “American weapons and intelligence are at the core of both wars (Ukraine and Israel), but President Biden is accepting the reality that military decisions must be made in Israel and Ukraine, not in the United States,” adding, “This is why Washington "Often finds itself in the strange position of being able to propose technology to take down the Gaza Strip's massive network of tunnels or penetrate Russia's defenses, but it keeps its distance from that decision and its aftermath," he said on the 6th.
NYT said, “President Biden is facing the limits of his influence in the two international conflicts that have defined his presidency,” and “Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a phone call on the 6th that Biden must do more to avoid civilian casualties.” "He refuted the president's claims and, pursuing what he called 'strong revenge,' used huge bombs to collapse Hamas' network of tunnels, even collapsing entire areas of the Gaza Strip," the report said.
NYT continued, “For 10 days, the Biden administration has been urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to allow a ‘humanitarian pause’ on the bombing of Gaza, arguing that the US’s $380 million in annual security aid could have enough influence on the Israeli leader’s tactics. “I’m hoping for it,” he said.