In Washington, DC, the images coming out of Gaza continue to show Israeli bombs causing civilian casualties, Palestinians fleeing their homes, and Hamas targeting Israeli forces. After nearly 230 days of conflict, experts believe that Israel’s war in Gaza will not end anytime soon. Israel claims to be seeking an “absolute victory” over Hamas, with the support of the US, despite criticism for their lack of a long-term strategy in Gaza. Some experts believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the conflict to maintain power and deepen Palestinian suffering.
The US government claims to seek an end to the conflict in Gaza, but continues to support Israel unconditionally. Palestinian advocates fear that the ongoing war is becoming the status quo, with Israel aiming to displace or contain the population of Gaza. The destruction and killings in Gaza are seen as part of Israel’s objective to erode Palestinian presence in the region.
The US has outlined a complex vision for the conflict, including supporting Israel’s efforts to eliminate Hamas’s military capabilities and seeking a ceasefire deal. However, the goal of a total defeat of Hamas may be unachievable, as US officials are starting to admit.
There are doubts about the ability of the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza, and questions remain about what entity could fill the void left by Hamas. The US and Israel have ruled out involving Hamas in discussions about Gaza’s future, but experts believe that some form of cooperation with Hamas may be necessary for any lasting peace in the region.