“A tragic accident” is the euphemism chosen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to describe the horrific incident that occurred last Sunday, in which about 45 residents of a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah were killed and dozens of others were injured. Thus, Netanyahu chose, as usual, and 20 hours later, to issue a statement devoid of any substance. Regrets the killing of Palestinian civilians.
With this preface, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz began its editorial today, explaining that one can imagine that Netanyahu’s motive was not deep sadness or grief over that tragedy, but rather his sense of danger threatening his freedom of movement across the world after the arrest orders requested by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. These orders require him to demonstrate, in an audible voice, at least a modicum of humanity, even if it is modest.
The newspaper pointed out that the prevailing atmosphere among the public regarding the fate of Palestinian non-combatants oscillates between indifference and joy over their death.
In view of this and amid the deliberate media blackout on the scale of death and destruction in Gaza during the past eight months – including thousands of children and the elderly – Haaretz says that Netanyahu has discovered the terrible face of the “total victory” war he is waging.
She added that the pursuit of this victory is based on the inherent lie that seizing Rafah would represent a means of pressure on Hamas, at a time when the latter, despite the major blows it received, continues to adhere to its position that only stopping the war could lead to the launch of ” “Hostages.”
Haaretz concluded by saying that the release of the hostages represents the only realistic national goal remaining for the Israeli government, and it cannot be conditional on seizing Rafah, “defeating Hamas,” or “eliminating the threat facing the Israeli border communities in the Gaza Strip,” she said.
