Title: Netanyahu Vows to Resign Hamas to the Dustbin of History as Israeli Ground Forces Advance in Gaza
Date: October 31, 2023
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a “time for war” and rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza amid growing pressure from the UK and other allies for a humanitarian pause in the conflict. As Israeli ground forces continue to push deeper into Gaza, tanks and other armored vehicles have advanced on the territory’s main city, freeing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants.
Netanyahu stated in a news conference that calls for a ceasefire are equivalent to surrendering to Hamas, emphasizing that Israel will not back down. He drew a parallel between Israel’s current situation and the United States’ response to the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the need to fight back.
While global leaders, including the UK and the United States, have called for a cessation of hostilities to allow Palestinians to flee and for aid to be distributed, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to military action. He argued that the Bible acknowledges both a time for peace and a time for war.
The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, warned the Security Council that the Israel-Hamas war is spilling into Syria, adding to the existing violence and instability in the country. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, coupled with the Syrian conflict, has created a potential for wider escalation, according to Pedersen.
In another development, pro-Palestine activists claimed to have shut down a Boston arms company that supplies Israel. The group Palestine Action US alleged that it has “completely halted” the operations of Elbit Systems. Video footage posted on social media shows activists protesting outside the company’s headquarters, demanding its closure.
Japan has announced sanctions on individuals and a company linked to the Gaza-based militant group Hamas. This move follows similar sanctions imposed by the United States earlier this month. The sanctions involve freezing the assets of individuals and the designated company, which have allegedly provided financial support to Hamas.
Reports have emerged that an Israeli government ministry has drafted a wartime proposal to transfer the population of Gaza to Egypt’s Sinai peninsula. This hypothetical concept paper has drawn condemnation from the Palestinians, who consider it a red line that should not be crossed. The report has fueled tensions between Israel and Cairo, as Egypt fears being burdened with the responsibility of Gaza.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and US Representative David Kustoff visited a Jewish school in Memphis, emphasizing the importance of strong security measures in light of the Israel-Hamas war. The school had previously thwarted an armed intrusion in July, and students and staff displayed signs of solidarity with Israel throughout the building.
In Gaza, Israeli ground forces have pushed deeper into the territory, advancing on the main city and rescuing a soldier held captive by Hamas militants. Netanyahu praised the Israeli security forces for the accomplishment and rejected calls for a ceasefire, stating that Israel will continue its military campaign.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has also had repercussions in the UK, as police arrested two women suspected of wearing pictures of Hamas paragliders during a pro-Palestinian rally in Whitehall. The women were taken into custody on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed organization.
Finally, a midwife holding a hunger strike outside the Scottish Parliament in solidarity with Gaza expressed concern over the potential deaths of newborn babies if calls for an immediate ceasefire are ignored. Sharyn Lock demanded the restoration of vital services to Palestine and called on UK politicians to take action.
As the conflict persists, the international community continues to grapple with finding a sustainable solution and promoting the well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.