Guardian: No peace in the Middle East without peace in Gaza and creating realistic conditions for a Palestinian state

The British newspaper The Guardian said in its editorial that the agreement brokered by the United States is a success for Lebanese civilians who have suffered under the burden of a conflict that lasted for about 14 months, in which about 4,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced.

But this agreement, despite being a success for outgoing US President Joe Biden, after months of weak and ineffective diplomatic efforts, came on the terms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and gives the Palestinians little hope, the Guardian explains.

In the newspaper's opinion, the situation in Gaza, where the number of martyrs has exceeded 44,000, does not show any signs of peace, amid the continued Israeli bombing and "barbaric, shameful and savage" destruction from the north of the Strip to its south.

She added that in a region on the brink of the abyss, any lasting peace deal must include a ceasefire in Gaza and create realistic conditions for a viable Palestinian state, warning that "peace is not the silence of the graveyard."

Netanyahu and his party

The editorial stressed that Netanyahu does not want peace, while he is trying to evade a corruption trial and elections that would inflame voter anger after October 7, 2023. His interest instead lies in prolonging the national emergency and in “pampering” the “extremist” right-wing members of his government who could topple him, and who dream of new settlements in a Gaza that is destroyed and ethnically cleansed of Palestinians.

The newspaper said that Hezbollah's weakness allowed Israel to disengage from two wars at the same time in Lebanon and Gaza, leaving it free to act in the besieged sector. The agreement also removed a direct threat to Israel's northern border, which will give Netanyahu the opportunity to focus on his other aggressive goals, especially towards Iran.

Borrell said that there is a need for a ceasefire in the Strip as a first step, followed by a political solution for peace, adding that what is currently happening in Israel is an unprecedented situation, as the International Criminal Court has issued international arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.

Source: The Guardian + New York Times + Axios + Agencies