Opinion Express View on Israel’s war in Gaza: Cease fire

Israel must listen to its friends.” The anguish of the prime ministers of Australia, New Zealand and Canada in a statement demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza expresses a broader sentiment within the international community. Israel has said that it will launch an offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza if Hamas does not release the hostages it holds in the next 10 days. Reports suggest that over 29,000 Palestinians have already been killed in the conflict. For civilians fleeing Gaza, Rafah is the last refuge — its population has grown by over six times since October 7. An offensive here would be catastrophic for the refugees. It is indeed time for Israel to listen to its friends — including India.

On Saturday, for the first time since Hamas’s horrific attack and Israel’s devastating response, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that Israel should be “mindful of civilian casualties”. As he reiterated India’s unequivocal condemnation of the October 7 attacks, he also underscored the urgency of a humanitarian corridor in Gaza and the long-term need for a two-state solution. Jaishankar also framed Israel’s responsibility towards the principles of international law. The gist of his words and the three PMs’ letter is this: Palestinian civilians must not continue to pay the price for the actions of the extremist wing of Hamas. Equally, a ceasefire cannot be one-sided — it will require Hamas to stop its violent actions. International pressure will have teeth and be far more effective, however, if it is championed by Israel’s closest ally.

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On Monday, a day after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 people, the US said it would block the Algeria-sponsored draft resolution at the UN Security Council, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. The US has already vetoed several such resolutions at the UNSC and the White House has bypassed the legislature to supply arms to Israel. The justification offered by the American ambassador to the UN is that such resolutions run counter to Washington’s efforts to end the fighting. If that is indeed the case, it is time for the US to step up these efforts. President Joe Biden has been increasingly critical of the civilian casualties and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s maximalist positions, calling the former “over the top”. The Netanyahu government — which was facing protests and a huge dip in popularity before the conflict began — must move beyond the rhetoric of revenge towards peace. The killing of civilians must stop. Medical and other aid must be allowed a way through. With the conflict already spreading to crucial commercial lanes like the Red Sea, a ceasefire is the only way to give the region a chance at peace.