Washington- One month after the start of the Israeli aggression on… Gaza strip “after operation”Al-Aqsa flood“, American efforts seeking to reach a humanitarian truce are increasing amid Israeli rejection of the idea unless its implementation is linked to the release of its hostages held by the Islamic Resistance Movement (agitation) whose number is approximately 240 people.
A White House statement said yesterday, Monday, that President joe biden Discussed a phone call with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu“Tactical truce capability to provide civilians with opportunities to safely depart from areas of ongoing combat, ensure aid reaches civilians in need, and enable the release of potential hostages.”
Pressure is increasing, from inside and outside the United States, to reach a humanitarian truce to deal with the disastrous effects of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, which left more than 10,000 martyrs and nearly 30,000 wounded amid a complete collapse of services, most notably medical facilities and hospitals.
Al Jazeera Net discusses in a question and answer everything related to the idea of a humanitarian truce:
What is a humanitarian truce, and how does it differ from a ceasefire?
In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, an Arab diplomatic source (who preferred not to reveal his name) described what is meant by the humanitarian truce, which is currently being discussed, as a temporary ceasefire that allows the transfer of humanitarian aid and the removal of the wounded in convoys that follow a specific itinerary and routes without fear of being exposed. For any attacks.
It is agreed upon for specific periods – several hours each day – or for several continuous or intermittent days.
This does not mean the end of hostilities, but only their cessation, without this being followed by the start of a peaceful negotiation process to search for political solutions to the conflict, in contrast to traditional ceasefires, which pave the way for the start of political talks between the warring parties.
Is there official American support for reaching a humanitarian truce?
Yes, there is an American desire, but it has clashed with Israeli rejection so far, and it does not seem that White House He is trying to use his pressure tools to push the Israeli government to accept a temporary humanitarian truce.
Since the start of the aggression on Gaza, President Biden’s administration has adopted the Israeli narrative of the development of events, and Washington is sparing no effort in the political, military, diplomatic, and economic fields to show its full support for Israel.
The US Secretary of State announced Anthony Blinken His country supports “humanitarian truces” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, but he expressed his rejection of calls for a “ceasefire” demanded by Arab countries allied with Washington.
The Biden administration reiterates that the ceasefire will only lead to “keeping Hamas in its place,” and some even consider this ceasefire to be nothing more than a “victory for the movement.”
The situation is no different Congress Who strongly supports Israel. But recent days have seen a rise in the number of lawmakers in both chambers of Congress who support a humanitarian truce due to the ongoing aggression on Gaza, although calls are still largely limited to progressive members.
Fifty-eight lawmakers signed a letter stating that they were “deeply concerned by the Israeli military operation and behavior that fails to reduce harm to non-combatants and vulnerable populations,” as well as raising concerns about settler violence in the West Bank and calling for diplomacy to achieve a two-state solution.
What does international law say about the idea of humanitarian truces?
The rules, known as International humanitarian lawmeans reducing harm to non-combatants in war, and aims to protect civilians, wounded and sick soldiers, health and humanitarian workers, and prisoners of war.
“Civilians may not be attacked or taken hostage,” Rubinstein noted. “In targeting, combatants must distinguish between civilian and military targets and take the necessary precautions to avoid hitting hospitals and other civilian facilities.”
Even when the target is military, combatants must take precautions to avoid, or at least to limit, harm to civilians. The rules also prohibit attacks on service centers that are indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. Conflicts in densely populated areas do not negate these duties.
The rules apply to both government military forces and non-state armed groups, such as Hamas.
Deliberate attacks on civilians, collective punishment of the population, and serious violations of the rules, such as targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure, taking hostages, or starving the population, are war crimes.
Are there any conditions attached to the idea of humanitarian truces?
Regarding the specific rules that apply to health and humanitarian needs, Rubinstein said, “The basic requirement for these rules is to respect and protect the wounded and sick, health service providers, hospitals and other health facilities, ambulances and other means of medical transport. And that deliberate attacks on them are “war crimes.” .
He added that, according to international law, health care must not be interfered with or obstructed, such as preventing the passage of ambulances seeking to evacuate the wounded and sick.
In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross has a system of communication with the Israeli military authorities and Palestinian ambulance services to ensure the safe movement of ambulances and prevent their misuse.
Rubinstein called on the Israeli occupation authorities to commit to ensuring that the residents of the Gaza Strip have adequate access to health services and public health measures.
International authorities and the US State Department consider Gaza to be occupied territories due to Israel’s control over airspace, territorial waters, the entry and exit of people, water, and electricity.
He stressed that the continuation of air strikes on densely populated areas, and the high number of martyrs, cast doubt on whether Israel has complied with its obligations.
Why do we need a humanitarian truce?
Israel prevents the Gaza Strip’s approximately 2.3 million residents from obtaining electricity, food and water. This step sparked widespread condemnation, but Israel did not care about these condemnations.
Jewish Senator Bernie Sanders said, “Israel’s blanket denial of food, water and other necessities to Gaza is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians.”
Since the middle of last month, Israel has allowed humanitarian aid trucks to enter, after an agreement with the United States and Egypt Rafah crossing The border between Egypt and Gaza, but all that has entered the Strip so far is close to 480 trucks, which does not exceed what entered during one day before the Israeli closure of the Strip.
What is the Biden administration’s position on the ceasefire?
The Biden administration has not yet reached the point of supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, despite calls from some Democratic lawmakers and some human rights groups, in addition to countries allied with Washington in the Middle East.
The White House says the ceasefire will ultimately benefit Hamas and give it time to regroup and revamp its strategies.
What is Egypt’s role regarding humanitarian developments in Gaza?
Egypt plays a pivotal role in delivering aid to the Gaza Strip as Cairo controls the Rafah border crossing, making it the only entrance not under Israeli control.
As the war continues in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian situation there worsens, the Egyptian government does not welcome the idea of large numbers of refugees flowing to the north of the peninsula. SinaiThis is the region that witnessed a decade of rebellion between the Egyptian army and various “terrorist” groups, including one of the groups affiliated with the Islamic State (Sinai Province), according to a study by the Congressional Research Service.
Cairo fears that the temporary resettlement of Palestinians in Egypt could extend into the long term or become permanent, similar to the situation of some Palestinians living in refugee camps elsewhere in the countries of the region.
Egypt may play a central role in delivering humanitarian aid. Much of the international aid destined for the Gaza Strip is gathered at Al-Arish Airport in North Sinai, which is less than 60 kilometers from the border with Gaza.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says that his country, Israel and Egypt agreed to “develop a plan” to deliver more aid to Gaza.
What is Washington’s vision of the idea of a humanitarian truce?
Washington believes that a humanitarian truce would provide some relief to civilians in Gaza and also allow Israel to make progress on another key part of its goals, which is the release of the hostages.
Hamas released 4 women hostages during a short pause prior to the bombing, and another pause, or a series of them, may provide an opportunity for more hostages still being held by Hamas to return to their families.
A humanitarian truce would also allow more civilians remaining in Gaza the opportunity to move to relative safety until hostilities end. The Rafah border crossing was opened earlier this week, allowing hundreds of foreigners, including nearly 400 Americans, to leave Gaza and enter Egypt.
What are the conditions for the success of a humanitarian truce?
For any such measure to be effective, both parties to this conflict must adhere to it. The Israeli government will have to stop all its air and ground attacks, and Hamas must agree to stop firing rockets at Israel during this temporary truce.
There is no guarantee that a humanitarian truce, especially in the current situation, will mean the safe return of the hostages or an end to the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip. However, failure to reach a humanitarian truce would increase the suffering of innocent civilians inside the Strip, and close the horizon for releasing more hostages, according to Washington.
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