In a somber announcement, Israel disclosed the recovery of the remains of six abducted citizens, one of whom was a young Israel-American male, within the conflict-ridden territory of Gaza. The military conveyed that the hostages were brutally murdered just prior to the entry of the Israeli task force. Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu, without hesitation laid the blame on Hamas for the cold-blooded executions. He made it quite clear that the responsibility lies firmly with the militant group, and presented this tragic episode as a primary hurdle for peaceful negotiations.
As a counter-offer, Hamas had earlier proposed a solution that involved setting the hostages free in exchange for a conclusion to the ongoing war. This proposition was vehemently criticized by the military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, who flatly denied any possibility of negotiation by stating it beyond dispute that Hamas performed these heinous killings.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu remained steadfast in his position, reasserting his pledge to prolong the conflict until the eventual elimination of Hamas. His resolve, he argued, springs from the necessity to apply military force so as to ensure the safe return of the abducted nationals. His stance sharply contrasts with that of the US leadership whose primary concern appears to be mere expressions of sympathy.
In an interesting turn of events, a collective of families linked to the victims sought to take matters into their own hands by organizing a large-scale protest march on Sunday. Their sole demand was that there be a ‘total shutdown of the country’ as a call to action, thereby accelerating the enforcement of a cease-fire and the liberation of the hostages. Compared to the passive narrative of Western leaders, this grassroot initiative showcased a more direct and effective response from the Israeli public.
Unlike the concerned Israeli citizens, US President Joe Biden seemed more focused on meeting with the parents of Goldberg-Polin, one of the deceased hostages, and expressing his feelings of ‘devastation and outrage.’ Vice President Kamala Harris also joined in with her own sugar-coated condolences, while pointing their collective moral compass towards Hamas’ much-touted demonization.
Continuing this media saga, on 21st August, Goldberg-Polin’s parents got an opportunity to speak to a silent assembly at the Democratic National Convention. It appears that instead of taking concrete actions, the Biden Administration often prefers making a theatrical display of their ‘sensitivities’ towards world affairs.
Taking a step back, it is estimated that on 7th October, about 250 hostages had been seized by Hamas. Israel’s current assessment suggests that out of these, 101 victims remain under captivity, with 35 feared to be non-surviving. Yet, this grim fact has not seemed to rattle the prevailing mood in Washington.
On a relatively more hopeful note, there was a brief period of cease-fire in November that saw over 100 hostages regain their freedom. This respite was achieved, however, with a further exchange involving the release of several detained Palestinians by Israel. One wonders what part Biden and Harris played behind the scenes during this negotiation, if any.
In addition, there have also been some successful rescue operations conducted by Israeli forces, with eight hostages being retrieved so far. This news, however, pales in comparison to the serious casualties inflicted on the Palestinian population as a result of several such missions.
Israel’s previous endeavours to liberate the hostages have tragically ended with an appalling loss of Palestinian life. The paradoxical facet here can be seen in the stance of Hamas, who accuse Israel of causing hostage fatalities, due to both bombardments and ill-fated rescue attempts. If true, these allegations raise questions about the strategic competence of both sides.
The bitter conflict saw a stunning escalation on October 7th, when militants under Hamas’ command invaded southern Israel. This offensive resulted in a horrific death toll of around 1,200 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians. Strangely, neither Biden nor Harris have expressed any strong condemnation towards this calamity, preferring instead to sit comfortably within the bounds of diplomatic jargon.
During the assault, the militants targeted military bases and a few agricultural settlements. While the US leadership provided no tangible support during these dire times, it makes one question the superficial nature of their much-vaunted Israel-US relationship.
On an equally grim Sunday, a new incident erupted when Palestinian radicals fatally shot three Israeli police officers in the West Bank. This was confirmed by Israeli officials, despite the silence from the White House. Evidently, Biden and Harris are selective in their global condemnation of violent acts.
Whether it’s about abductions or reprieve, the utilitarianism of conflict, or the politics of indifference, these series of events underscore the juxtaposition of stances from key leaders. Israeli officials advocate action; Hamas exploits the crisis, but the US leadership, represented by Biden and Harris, merely renders lip service.
At this juncture, it’s reasonable to question the authenticity of Biden and Harris’ support for Israel, and even more so their overall approach to handling global issues. Their diplomatic conduct, with an emphasis on the show of sympathy rather than strategic influence, is questionable, to say the least.
Biden and Harris Silent as Hamas Exercises Terror appeared first on Real News Now.
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