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Israel Kills Sinwar, and Biden Wants to "Move On"

(Wall Street Journal) Michael Doran - President Biden sees the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as an opportunity to end the war in Gaza. Yet the Administration's approach clashes with the situation on the ground, and Sinwar's death hasn't changed that. Team Biden's diplomacy suffers from major errors. First, it mistakenly assumed that Mr. Netanyahu could be forced into accepting a chastened Hamas as a major political actor in Gaza. Mr. Biden presumably hopes that Sinwar's death will force Hamas to negotiate a ceasefire. But in the eyes of most Israelis, the killing simply vindicated Mr. Netanyahu's demand for "total victory." Second, Biden officials seem to want a ceasefire in Gaza that will also lead to a ceasefire in Lebanon. They expect Hizbullah and Iran to stop attacking Israel once Hamas agrees to a ceasefire, and they call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon followed by a period of diplomacy. But the Israelis feel, correctly, that the tide of war in Lebanon has shifted dramatically in their favor. Why would Israel take its boot from Hizbullah's neck first and then start negotiating? With respect to the security of its northern border, the Israeli government has little maneuvering room. Many tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from their homes in the north. They won't return until they are certain Hizbullah will never be able to fire rockets and missiles at them again. Announcing a ceasefire wouldn't be sufficient reassurance. The writer is director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East.
2024-10-20 00:00:00
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