Tragically, hopes that we might see a cease fire in Gaza and the return of hostages were in no way going to be realized. Worse, what (little) talk there was about the return of hostages was boilerplate bullshit. A moment that might have been priceless was lost and once again I have to take U.S. news outlets to task for NOT mounting an ever increasingly loud pressure campaign on Netanyahu and Israel to quickly work out a cease fire and hostage deal.
Last week, on Oct. 16 to be specific the Israeli Defense Forces accomplished a longstanding and what one would assume was a crucial goal that could lead to de-escalation in Gaza. They killed Hamas leader Yaha Sinwar. Since Hamas initiated its brutal terrorist attack a little over a year ago taking out the leaders of Hamas and Sinwar in particular has been a necessary part of bringing stability to that troubled patch of land. And bringing home the hostages (some living, some dead) still being held by Hamas. All to brief moments have happened where fighting paused and a few hostages have been released. However efforts for a true, meaningful and longer-term cease fire have always fallen through. It seemed so close at times, but either Netanyahu or Sinwar would find a way to keep it from happening.
Now, Sinwar is dead and Hamas is scrambling to reconstitute its leadership structure. Those left have good reason to be fearful given the reach Israel has displayed, killing key figures in Gaza, Lebanon and even in freaking Iran. When I heard the news about Sinwar last Wed. morning I actually began to have some hope. Surely overtures would be made by the IDF (with Netanyahu’s blessing) to say in effect ‘Guys – NOW is the time for you to surrender. Prison has to be better than what you know you’re facing and a cease-fire and hostage exchange is your ticket to avoiding a death like your leader just had.’ However as the day went on, and in the days since it became clear Netanyahu has NO interest in a cease fire, getting back hostages or ending the war!
For hours I watched cable news and the chatter about ole Bibi eventually addressing his nation. When he finally did I kept double checking because I thought more than once I was watching a continuous loop of a shorter speech. It started off okay and said some of the things one would hope to hear. There’s a four minute section on YouTube with a translator but the thing is, Bibi kept going on. For over nine minutes. At times it was almost like watching a rambling Trump word-salad moments.
Interestingly enough, while YouTube does have the full, over 9-minute version up THAT doesn’t contain a translation!. Makes me wonder why. When you factor in there was a dash of North Korea newscaster (‘the glorious IDF’ references for example) thrown in. I for one found it hard to take. As I said, while it started off okay, by the end it was clear that the stuff early on about the potential for ending all the violence and destruction was nothing but ‘happy talk’ to placate us and other countries. There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell Netanyahu is going to allow this war to end. He’s going to keep provoking violence, which of course will cause what’s left of Hamas’ leadership to strike back.
I want to return to the matter of Bibi repeating himself as he went on. Later that day and since the LACK of commentary from journalists effectively saying ‘What the hell was THAT?’ is more than troubling. Think back to when President Obama strode out to announce the death of Bin Laden. His remarks were short and to the point. It wasn’t the time/moment for a “victory dance” – the President gave a short set of remarks stating what had happened and turned around and walked away.
This situation is different. THIS presented a real opportunity. Netanyahu COULD have called on Hamas to join his negotiators to work out a cease fire deal that would allow for hostages to be returned (and the bodies of those who hadn’t survived), real and meaningful humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and the establishment of an international group to oversee it all. There was none of that. Netanyahu NEEDS this war to go on. If it ends the questions about his own personal/legal problems will come to the forefront. Not to mention a harsh look at just how that awful day where Hamas carried out such a massive terrorist attack happened in the first place.
Still, both the U.S. and other countries are trying. As reported in the NY Times Secretary of State Blinken is headed back to Israel. State Dept. spokesman Matthew Miller outlined the multi-stop, multi-objective goals of the trip. Israel has told President Biden they’ll refrain from attacks on Iran’s nuclear or energy sites to avoid escalation in the region. I’ll believe that if it works out that way. But part of Blinken’s trip will be to discuss governance in Gaza when the war is over. When of course is the big question but I think it’s safe to assume not anytime in the foreseeable future. Still, Blinken is going to try:
Mr. Biden previewed that part of Mr. Blinken’s trip on Thursday, telling reporters that he had spoken with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel about it. “We’re going to work out what is the day after now — how do we secure Gaza and move on?” Mr. Biden said.
As Israel continues to pound southern Lebanon in a separate campaign against the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, Mr. Blinken will also discuss “the need to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict,” Mr. Miller’s statement said.
Don’t anyone go holding their breath. I don’t know about you but I suspect if you’re reading this your heart has been breaking for the families/loved ones of the hostages. Even those who’ve died or been killed while in captivity. At least they should be handed over so their families can properly bury them and truly begin the grieving process. But politics, and in particular the political fortunes of Bibi Netanyahu and yes, Donald Trump are in play. It’s no secret Netanyahu wants Trump back in office. And let’s face it – a cease fire and hostage deal would be a HUGE win for President Biden and VP Kamala Harris too.
Trump would be toast. Everyone including and especially the heads of major news outlets and the “talent” knows it. THAT my friends is why there was no major push on Thursday and Friday about ‘Why isn’t Netanyahu/Israel immediately calling for a sit-down to negotiate a cease fire/hostage deal?’ Because those in the news biz DON’T WANT President Biden to get the win and Harris to get some of the credit! Maybe you disagree and if so I’m sure some of you who do won’t be shy in saying so. But I find the whole thing tragic. Disgusting. VILE.
And when it comes to the millions suffering in Gaza who never wanted Hamas in charge in the first place (THAT was Netanyahu’s doing lest we forget) or the families and loved ones of the hostages well, to Bibi and our news outlets ‘Too f**king bad. Deal with it.’ It was over the weekend that the realization set in that there’s an orchestrated effort to have squandered the death of Sinwar. For POLITICAL ends. It made me sick inside and the only way I know to try and fight my way out of it is to write about it.
So in closing let me make it clear. American news outlets have decided to shape things to harm Harris’ chances of winning this election. If civilians in Gaza suffer and die, and if families of hostages have to go through additional anguish their attitude is ‘not our problem.’ I say f**k em all – lets shove a massive and overwhelming Democratic win down their throats and collectively flood social media with calls for THEM to “Suck it!”
Very well put Denis. Thank you!
Thank you for saying so. I know I don’t make any friends with the type of criticism I posted. Some consider it anti-Semitic but I’m really only anti-Netanyahu and the zealots in Israel who believe every last person of Palestinian heritage should be forced out. But people don’t want to hear anything critical of Israel these days. So hardly anyone has actually read this article which has been up since mid-morning east coast time.
I seriously doubt any hostages still are amongst the living. At this point Netanyahu, Hamas, and Hezbollah are in it merely to enrich the military industrial complexes of the U.S., Iran, Russia, and China. And perhaps not even that-perhaps it is only a who has the biggest dick contest. Whatever it is, the hostages are no longer a part of the calculus.
To summarize: Bibi certainly won’t agree to a cease-fire before the U.S. elections because he doesn’t want to give Biden/Harris a boost. But he won’t agree to a cease-fire after the elections either because that’s when they start prosecuting him.
This whole sickening situation, from beginning to end, looks like Bibi’s fault. But if you think about it, it’s even more the fault of the Israeli electorate. Why? Because they KNOW it’s his fault, they know he’s prolonging the war going to stay out of jail, they hate his guts, they they want the hostages freed, and yet the majority of them support the war and how it’s being conducted. Apparently because they hate the Palestinians even more. It doesn’t even make sense. Things are really fucked up over there.