Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, retired US General Jack Keane has advised the Biden administration to steer clear of getting involved in Israel's ground war against Hamas. The remarks come as tensions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rise, with disagreements on how Israel should handle the conflict and Netanyahu's rejection of post-war proposals from the United States.
General Keane expressed concerns about potential US intervention in Israel's military campaign against Hamas, emphasizing that Israel's primary goal is to dismantle the Hamas organization. He conveyed this during an interview with Fox News on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
The rift between the Biden administration and Netanyahu over the handling of the conflict and Netanyahu's refusal to consider US proposals for post-war Gaza has become more apparent since US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel last week. The situation intensified after Hamas led a deadly resistance attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, marking the deadliest assault by Palestinian resistance groups in history.
According to Israeli government figures, at least 1,139 people have been killed in Israel, with hundreds more abducted and taken to Gaza as hostages. In response, Israel launched its heaviest airstrikes against Gaza, resulting in over 26,000 Palestinian casualties, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
General Keane highlighted that Israel's leadership is driven by a desire for complete military victory over Hamas, while Hamas aims to endure the conflict. The concern has grown further following a series of orders from the UN High Court on Friday, instructing Israel to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza to prevent genocide. Israel denies genocide allegations, asserting that its actions are in self-defense.
Netanyahu reportedly informed the White House of his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state post-war. In a national broadcast press conference, Netanyahu not only rejected the idea of a Palestinian state but also pledged to continue military attacks until Israel achieves a "decisive victory over Hamas."
Jon Hoffman, a foreign policy analyst at the Cato Institute, criticized Netanyahu's statements, calling them problematic for various reasons. He argued that Israel's indiscriminate killing of civilians and elimination of political negotiation prospects would likely sow the seeds for future armed resistance rather than diminishing Hamas's military capabilities or political position.
On Friday, President Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani before CIA Director William Burns' trip to Europe. Burns aims to secure the release of more hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza. While efforts are underway to facilitate another hostage agreement, the National Security Council's spokesperson, John Kirby, cautioned against expecting imminent developments.
The ongoing diplomatic efforts, including Burns' meetings with key figures from Israel, Qatar, and Egypt, focus on securing the release of hostages in exchange for ending hostilities. The Biden administration hopes that such an agreement could lead to an extension of the ceasefire and ultimately bring an end to the ongoing conflict.