International Diplomatic Efforts Intensify to Prevent Israeli Ground Offensive in Rafah
Western leaders, including the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are gathering in Munich for a security conference, aiming to exert significant pressure on Israel to refrain from launching a ground offensive in Rafah. Notably absent is the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Key figures from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Israel, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Israel Katz, will be present. The US, UK, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are urging Israel to avoid a ground offensive, with the possibility of international legal action looming.
Recent talks in Egypt involving the US, Israel, and Qatar have not yielded a breakthrough for a lengthy truce or hostage release. Parallel discussions explore the potential formation of a “national consensus government” between Hamas and Fatah. There are concerns that failure to reach an agreement may escalate attacks in Lebanon by Israel and Hezbollah. Hamas is now seeking a six-week humanitarian pause leading to a ceasefire, abandoning some elements from its initial peace plan.
Amidst suggestions of an international security force entering Gaza post-ceasefire, Israel opposes relinquishing security control to a third party and rejects a two-state solution. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron is leading calls for the recognition of a Palestinian state before talks conclude. US recognition of Palestine depends on the Palestinian Authority revitalizing its democracy.
A pivotal, yet sensitive, element involves the potential rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah under the Palestine Liberation Organization umbrella. While some Western countries insist on Hamas relinquishing power, UN humanitarian affairs head Martin Griffiths highlights the challenge of excluding Hamas from a peace deal. PA President Mahmoud Abbas emphasizes readiness to govern Gaza immediately upon cessation of aggression, linking peace to full UN membership recognition and advocating for an international peace conference to outline the end of Israel’s occupation.
