The conflict in Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place chiefly since 7 October 2023 which is now more than six months already. However, the solution and immediate ceasefire seems out of nowhere because of the main supplier did not take any realistic solution and the conflicting parties are not into the in-depth discussion to find the proper solution yet. It seems like either on-going or forever conflict since Hamas if far from defeat which left Israel no choice but to continue fighting. The real innocents and vulnerable people are the citizen of both sides. As of the 6th of May, 2024; there were approximately 600,0000 people have fled to the southern Gaza city according to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees. There are many diplomats including Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat has urged Israel to end the operation in Rafah immediately. He also stressed that if Israel does continue the military operation in Rafah, it will highly affect the relationship between EU and Israel.
More than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians had sought shelter in the southern-most city of Rafah, after they were forced to flee their homes in other parts of Gaza that had come under intense Israeli bombardment since October. The spokesman of the United Nations, Mr. Stephane Dujarric has said that “Civilians must be respected and protected at all times, in Rafah and elsewhere in Gaza. For people in Gaza, nowhere is safe now”.
Despite many criticisms and urge for immediate ceasefire from many leaders and diplomats, it seems like having no affect on the recent development of the conflict. It is believed that as long as Israel still received the support from their alliance, there is no way the conflict reaches its ending. Last week, the Biden administration paused the shipment of thousands of weapons to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs, amid concerns about Israel’s plans to launch a major ground operation in Rafah. Later, on Tuesday, the White House called the bill a “misguided reaction to a deliberate distortion of the Administration’s approach to Israel.” It said the bill is an attempt to “constrain the President’s ability to deploy U.S. security assistance consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.” It stressed that the Biden administration’s commitment to Israel is “ironclad,” and it will continue to use all funds appropriated for Israel “consistent with legal requirements.”
What’s more, Secretary Austin emphasised during his Senate subcommittee appearance that the paused weapons shipment will not affect the $26bn in supplemental aid to Israel that the US Congress approved in April. This is on top of the various billions of dollars already provided annually to Israel by the US – most of which money, the Council on Foreign Relations notes, “is provided as grants under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, funds that Israel must use to purchase U.S. military equipment and services”.
According to the US Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, the US government is obligated to “prevent … arms transfer that risk facilitating or otherwise contributing to violations of human rights or international humanitarian law”. And yet, what is US foreign policy itself if not one big violation of all of that?
On that side note, since the Israel military launched the military attack on Hamas with the solid support from the United States in the name of revenge and defensive for themselves, 35,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has been killed and infrastructure has been destroyed.
