Washington – "Al-Quds" dot com - Said Arikat
As the United States pushes for a transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Israel appears determined to slow this process by imposing political and military realities that reinforce its military presence in the areas it controls within the enclave. Recent developments indicate that the Israeli government views post-ceasefire arrangements as a threat to its sphere of influence, particularly those involving the entry of international forces or the launch of a large-scale reconstruction process in areas outside Israeli control.
It also seems that Israel is using elements of the second phase as leverage, strongly opposing the entry of international forces that could restrict its military freedom in the future, and treating the reconstruction file and the obstruction of vital humanitarian aid as negotiating tools to prevent a return to normal civilian life before achieving its political and security objectives. Furthermore, the blockade imposed on Gaza hinders the access to essential medicines and medical supplies, increasing the humanitarian pressure on the civilian population and creating a worsening health crisis, especially in hospitals that are suffering from a severe shortage of necessary equipment and medicines to save lives.
As a result, civilians in Gaza are facing an escalating health tragedy, as restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical supplies lead to rising mortality rates among patients and the injured, and a lack of basic care for children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. This crisis is a clear indicator that the political stalemate is no longer merely a matter of security or negotiating arrangements, but has become a direct threat to the lives of millions of people who rely on basic humanitarian aid to survive.
This approach seems to reflect the internal calculations of the Israeli government, which relies on the support of hardline right-wing parties that reject any withdrawal or international involvement in managing the situation within Gaza. Therefore, the slowdown in transitioning to the second phase and the obstruction of humanitarian aid cannot be separated from a political battle within Israel, where the government fears accusations of retreating in the face of international pressures or making concessions that could be used against it domestically.
In contrast, the U.S. administration is working to achieve tangible progress in implementing the second phase, driven by internal pressures related to increasing criticism of its handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as the need to demonstrate its effectiveness in managing regional issues. However, Washington's ability to make a real breakthrough is confronted by the limits of its traditional influence over Israel. The United States has political and diplomatic pressure tools, but it avoids taking sharp steps that could lead to tension in the strategic relationship that both sides have maintained for decades, or provoke anger from pro-Israel lobby organizations. This means that Washington is capable of persuasion, but it cannot compel without using pressure and threats, being prepared to bear the political costs both domestically and internationally.
It is clear that Israel is betting that the United States, preoccupied with complex global issues such as China, Ukraine, and domestic elections, may lean towards reducing pressure on Tel Aviv over time. This bet is not new, as Israel benefits from the differing priorities of Washington, and bets that the prolonged negotiations will ultimately lead to American acceptance of the reality it imposes on the ground.
Amid this tug-of-war, Gaza remains trapped in a cycle of political and humanitarian stagnation, where U.S.-Israeli disagreements hinder any significant progress in implementing the second phase. The absence of understanding between the two parties obstructs the necessary field and security arrangements, delays the entry of international forces that are supposed to play a guaranteeing role, and freezes the launch of the reconstruction process, while access to medical aid and medicines remains limited due to Israeli restrictions, exacerbating the suffering of civilians and threatening the lives of patients and the injured.
The repercussions of this stagnation extend beyond the current reality, as Israeli behavior reflects a long-term strategic desire to ensure control over the security landscape of the enclave for years to come, and to prevent any stable Palestinian governance model that could later evolve into a binding political negotiation framework. In contrast, the U.S. position reveals a broader crisis in Washington's ability to manage its alliances, especially when its humanitarian and political interests conflict with the priorities of a close ally like Israel.
Thus, a complex regional scene is formed where Gaza stands at the intersection of Israeli security calculations, U.S. political pressures, and humanitarian stability requirements. While the equation continues to revolve in a vicious circle, the second phase of the ceasefire agreement seems out of reach unless a decisive change occurs in the balance of pressures or in the calculations of the parties involved in the issue.
شارك برأيك
Washington and Tel Aviv's disagreements freeze the transition to the second phase in Gaza.