In Tel Aviv, Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his strong objections on Sunday to the increasing disapproval from the United States, a key ally, regarding his leadership during the intense conflict with Hamas. He labeled the suggestions for a new election as completely out of line.
Lately, Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and a prominent supporter of Israel, has urged the country to conduct a new election. He criticized Netanyahu for losing his direction. President Joe Biden echoed Schumer’s sentiments, praising his speech and previously criticizing Netanyahu for the significant civilian casualties in Gaza.
Netanyahu, in a conversation with Fox News, emphasized that Israel would not have suggested a new U.S. election following the attacks on September 11, 2001. He dismissed Schumer’s remarks as inappropriate, stating, “We’re not a banana republic.” He stressed that the decision on elections belongs to the Israeli people, not to external pressures.
During an interview with CNN, Netanyahu was asked if he would agree to an election after the war. He responded that it should be up to the Israeli public to decide.
The U.S. has shown concern over Israel’s planned attack on Rafah in southern Gaza, where around 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are taking refuge. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, mentioned that the U.S. is yet to see a plan from Israel for Rafah.
The U.S. is advocating for a new round of negotiations aimed at achieving a cease-fire in return for the release of Israeli hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on October 7. The Israeli delegation is expected to head to Qatar for these talks after Sunday evening’s meetings.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Netanyahu has made it clear he will not back down from the conflict, which has resulted in over 31,000 Palestinian deaths according to local health officials. It’s been over five months since Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and left 250 people taken as hostages.
Netanyahu mentioned that calls for an election now would halt Israel’s military actions and paralyze the nation for half a year. He reiterated his commitment to attacking Hamas in Rafah and confirmed that his government has approved military plans for such an operation.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has warned that an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah could severely impact the entire region. He mentioned that pushing Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula could threaten the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, which is crucial for regional stability.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after meeting with el-Sissi, expressed deep concern over the potential impact of a full-scale offensive in Rafah on the vulnerable civilian population. She emphasized the importance of avoiding such actions at all costs.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after his discussions with Netanyahu, questioned whether the objectives justify the high costs, suggesting the need to explore other methods to achieve Israel’s goals. Germany, being one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, often approaches criticism of Israel with caution due to the historical context of the Holocaust.
Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul-general in New York and critic of Netanyahu, interpreted the prime minister’s remarks as an attempt to shift blame if Israel fails to meet its objectives of dismantling Hamas.
The dispute offers political advantages to both sides. The Biden administration faces pressure from progressive Democrats and some Arab-American supporters to limit Israel’s military actions against Hamas. Netanyahu, on the other hand, aims to demonstrate his resilience against international pressure to his nationalist base.
Domestic pressure is also mounting, with thousands protesting in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s government, demanding a new election and the release of hostages. The Israeli public is concerned about the conditions of the hostages and the urgency of bringing them home safely.
Israel’s military operations have displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with a quarter of the population facing starvation, according to the U.N.
Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid continue, with airdrops by the U.S. and other nations, and the initiation of deliveries through a new sea route. However, aid organizations argue that more ground routes and fewer Israeli restrictions are necessary to address the humanitarian needs effectively.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 31,645 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants. It noted that women and children constitute two-thirds of the casualties.
Israel holds Hamas accountable for the civilian deaths, arguing that the group operates within densely populated areas.
The Health Ministry announced that in the past 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza received the bodies of 92 individuals killed in Israeli airstrikes, along with 130 wounded. Among the casualties was the Thabet family in Deir al-Balah city, including five children and one woman, with an infant among the deceased.