America has an 'impossible goal' for the Middle East amid Gaza war crisis
Tom Bateman, Foreign Ministry correspondent
Designation, traveling with the US Secretary of State
A security guard pushed open the door of Antony Blinken’s armored vehicle and the US Secretary of State stepped out of the yellow barricades lined up.
Holding the hands of Israeli protesters demanding the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas in Tel Aviv, he announced, “We are working to bring them back home.”
It was a unique moment but not entirely comfortable.
Security officials were paving the way to the protesters and security was very tight. We were in the journalists’ vehicle and were told to expect a meeting within the next 20 minutes. Ultimately this scene was captured on camera.
This was a strong message from America’s top diplomat to the Israeli people and its Prime Minister that America is committed, engaged in negotiations and doing everything possible to achieve a ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages.
In other words, the message is that America is trying to stop the war, although with some strict conditions.
Due to the unprecedented crisis in Gaza and the increasing number of civilian deaths, pressure on America is increasing domestically and internationally.
Presidents Joe Biden and Blinken spent weeks arguing over sending more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Now he is publicly increasing pressure on Israel and wants to develop a plan for the future of the area.
But as the crisis deepens, the extent of American influence is becoming more apparent.
America has an ‘impossible goal’ for the Middle East amid Gaza war crisis
Warning to israel
Just hours before this incident was being captured on camera near the barricade, America tried to shape the actions of its ally in the UN Security Council.
This was a sign of President Biden’s growing frustration. In the proposal prepared by America, Israel was appealed to allow more aid material to enter Gaza. The United Nations has warned of famine in Gaza.
The resolution supported Qatar’s ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in exchange for the release of the hostages.
But Israel was also warned against taking military action on Rafah city, which has a population of more than 1.4 million people, saying that this attack could be a violation of international humanitarian law.
However this proposal fell through. Russia and China vetoed this.
Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport on Friday, Blinken criticized those who voted against it.
He said there was no good reason to do so, while also warning that the attack on Rafah could end international support for Israel.
“It risks causing even more civilian casualties, has a devastating impact on humanitarian aid, and further isolates Israel around the world, further jeopardizing its long-term security,” he said.
Amidst the growing rift between America and Israeli leaders, Netanyahu has hit back at Blinken’s statement.
He said, “I told them that we will do it with the support of America, but if we have to do it, we will also do it alone.”
Despite the pressure, a superpower was being pushed back.
America has an ‘impossible goal’ for the Middle East amid Gaza war crisis
‘Need to send more humanitarian aid’
This week I witnessed the unprecedented power of American diplomacy behind the scenes, living with Blinken in Europe, Asia and the Middle East day and night across different time zones to find a solution to the current crisis.
For American critics, the contradiction is clear: on the one hand, the US is sending arms to its close ally, while on the other hand, it is appealing to reduce the suffering caused to civilians by military operations, without any success.
This week, the United Nations said regarding food security that 1.1 million people in Gaza are suffering from devastating hunger and starvation. Along with this he warned that there is a man-made famine in Gaza from now till May.
Now more politicians in America have started speaking about this.
This week, a group of Democratic senators and about 70 former US officials, diplomats and military officers appealed to the President.
It said the President should consider cutting off arms supplies to Israel if it continues to block humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza.
Israel blames the United Nations for the failure to distribute supplies. The United Nations has categorically rejected this, but Israel insists that restrictions on checkpoints and attacks on police protecting convoys are an important part of its campaign to eliminate Hamas.
In Manila, I asked Blinken whether this void of security in Gaza is the future of Gaza.
How can he convince Israel to accept his proposals?
He said that Hamas can end this humanitarian crisis only tomorrow if it surrenders. But he reiterated that more humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow into Gaza.
In response to my question, he said, giving the first US approval to the UN-backed measure, “100 percent of Gaza’s population has reached a critical level of severe food insecurity. This is the first time that the entire population is in this situation.”
America has an ‘impossible goal’ for the Middle East amid Gaza war crisis