Gaza’s Unlikely Scapegoat: The Kushner-Netanyahu Gamble

The latest push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has hit a snag, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Jared Kushner agreeing that demilitarization should be overseen by an American general. This demand is ostensibly reasonable, but it’s hard to ignore the White House’s influence in this proposal.

Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s 15-point plan for peace in Gaza has put him at odds with both the US and key allies like the UAE. His fragile coalition government is facing growing pressure ahead of Israeli elections in October, making a delicate balancing act necessary. This could leave Hamas as an unlikely scapegoat for Israel’s woes.

The agreement between Netanyahu and Kushner on demilitarization is just the latest development in a fraught peace process. Earlier this month, Hamas welcomed a joint statement from several Arab states condemning Israel’s rejection of the Trump plan. Despite this, Netanyahu has shown little inclination to compromise, despite the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 1,200 people have been killed since the ceasefire began.

Within Israel itself, there are those who want to take a harder line against Hamas. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir believes “targeted killings” in Gaza are necessary and his comments reflect a disturbing trend of dehumanizing Palestinians that’s been on display throughout this conflict.

The Human Cost of Israel’s Actions

The human cost of Israel’s actions in Gaza is staggering. Daily strikes have killed hundreds of civilians, while Israel’s near-daily military operations have displaced thousands more. The Israeli military has also been accused of war crimes and genocide by the UN.

Ben-Gvir’s comments on Hamas militants being “not human beings” are particularly chilling in this context. They echo similar statements made by Israeli officials throughout the conflict, some of which have been cited in a case before the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. The US has rejected this accusation, but it’s hard to see how Washington can continue to back Netanyahu when his government is accused of such atrocities.

The Kushner Plan: A New Twist on an Old Story

The Kushner plan seems like a rehashing of old ideas, but there’s one key difference: the US wants demilitarization to be overseen by an American general. This could potentially give Washington more control over the peace negotiations.

However, we’ve seen this movie before – and it doesn’t have a happy ending. The Trump plan was met with skepticism from Netanyahu, and this latest proposal seems unlikely to win him over either. What about Hamas? Will they agree to disarm in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza?

A Glimmer of Hope?

Despite the many obstacles facing the peace process, there’s still a glimmer of hope that things can change. The US has shown a willingness to push Netanyahu on issues like demilitarization – and it’s clear that Kushner is desperate to get something done before his time in office comes to an end.

But for now, we’re stuck with the status quo – and that means more suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. It’s time for the US and Israel to take a harder look at their actions in Gaza – and to work towards a peace that actually has a chance of lasting.

The Kushner-Netanyahu gamble is a high-stakes game, one that could either bring about real progress or push us further into chaos. Only time will tell which way things go – but for now, it’s hard not to see the hand of the White House in this unlikely alliance.