One of two demonstrators protests for the rescue of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Tel Aviv on December 16, 2023, after Israel admitted accidentally killing three of the abductees. Photo: Violeta Santos Moura/ Portal Demonstrators protest for the rescue of Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas after Israel admitted to accidentally killing three of the abductees in Tel Aviv on December 16, 2023. — Photo: Violeta Santos Moura/ Portal
One expression drew attention to the significant internal and external pressure facing Benjamin Netanyahu's government over the humanitarian costs of its war against Hamas in Gaza: the sustainable ceasefiredescribed in an article signed by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany, two of Israel's biggest allies in Europe.
Unlike the current voices in street protests and UN debates, David Cameron and Annalena Baerbock did not call for an immediate ceasefire, but warned of its necessity Prepare the path that leads to sustainable peace In the middle east and last “Days, Years, Generations”.
“An unsustainable ceasefire that would quickly escalate into more violence would only make it more difficult to build the trust necessary for peace. The sooner he comes, the better. The need is urgent,” the two ministers wrote.
The deaths increased anger and new protests from the families of the 130 hostages still in the hands of Hamas, Renewed pressure on Netanyahu to resume negotiations for his release.
The government is feeling the burden of isolation as its key allies abroad try to distance themselves from the damage caused by the growing number of civilians affected by the Israeli offensive. Criticism of the way the prime minister has waged the war is reverberating in the White House and straining relations between Joe Biden and Netanyahu.
At a campaign fundraising event, the American president expressed his impatience with the indiscriminate bombing of Israel and the real threat of the country's isolation. In the article published in the Sunday Times at the weekend, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany insisted on this motto.
“The Israeli government should do more to distinguish between terrorists and civilians and ensure its campaign targets Hamas leaders and activists,” Cameron and Baerbock said.
Both recommended increasing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and suppressing extremist settlers in the West Bank.
In other words, they insisted on the thesis that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could not only be maintained until the end of the fighting: it was necessary to preserve the perspective of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Palestinians.
However, this formula is not included in Netanyahu's plans. The prime minister preaches the destruction of Hamas and the release of the hostages an equation that has proven insoluble in 73 days of war in Gaza.
Despite international pressure, Israel continues its bombing
2 of 2 Israelis Yotam Haim, Samar Talalka and Alon Shamriz (left to right) were kidnapped by Hamas and accidentally killed by Israeli troops on December 15, 2023. — Photo: Photo: Disclosure/Israel Army Israelis Yotam Haim, Samar Talalka and Alon Shamriz (left to right) were kidnapped by Hamas on December 15, 2023 and mistakenly killed by Israeli troops. — Photo: Photo: Disclosure/Israel Army