Fatshimetrie: Fighting the Persistence of the Shadow
In a sensational statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Monday that he was close to eliminating Hamas, the rulers of the war-torn Gaza Strip. The statement reiterated his belief that the fighting would only end with the resistance group’s defeat. However, his remarks were contradicted by the Israeli army spokesman, who recently called eliminating Hamas an impossibility.
Speaking to young soldiers, Netanyahu said: “I returned yesterday from a tour of the Gaza Division. I was able to see the great progress in the fighting in Rafah. We are nearing the end of the phase of eliminating the terrorist army of Hamas. There will be a continuation of strikes targeting its remnants.” The claims come as opposition to the war among the Israeli public is on the rise.
Despite claims to have eliminated Hamas in many areas, Israeli soldiers have been forced to return to confront Hamas fighters in the same neighborhoods that were previously declared liberated. The group has also managed to launch rockets into southern Israel, defying claims that its military capability has been weakened.
Tensions remain high, with significant casualties on both sides. 674 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since last October, and more than 2,000 have been injured. At the same time, Israel has killed more than 37,700 people in Gaza since the same period. In January, the International Court of Justice issued a preliminary opinion concluding that Israel was likely guilty of genocide.
This relentless fight against Hamas raises many questions about how the conflict will be resolved. Is military brutality the only way forward, or are there other, more lasting and peaceful solutions to achieve a resolution to the conflict? The human loss and massive destruction caused by this ongoing struggle underscore the urgent need to explore more effective and inclusive diplomatic initiatives and peace processes to end this spiral of violence.
In this quest for peace and security, it is imperative that all stakeholders are engaged and prepared to demonstrate flexibility and compassion to achieve a resolution that guarantees dignity, security and freedom of life for all those caught in this devastating conflict.