In their coverage of developments in the Middle East, international newspapers and websites focused on the dire consequences of banning the activity of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and the Israeli army’s operations in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the issue of Syria.
A report in the Wall Street Journal warned that UNRWA will not be able to provide its services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip after about a month, due to Israeli legislation that will paralyze its activities.
The report stated, “The UNRWA ban exacerbates the economic crisis in the West Bank and paves the way for political instability. As for Gaza, the ban threatens to dismantle the logistical aid network, which means more complications for aid to enter a sector devastated by conflict and hunger.”
The Haaretz newspaper published an article stating that “destruction is the goal of the Israeli army in the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip, not the return of hostages,” noting that the third military operation in the region leveled all the buildings to the ground.
The author of the article comments by saying, “The soldiers who took pictures of the hostages with them 6 months ago have now become their only mission to eliminate the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)… It is clear that they are trapped in a war that has no indications that its end is near.”
On the other hand, Bloomberg confirmed that “Israel faces a war bill amounting to $11 billion, which may deepen social and political divisions.”
According to the site, the war led to a decline in the construction and tourism sectors, and most industries suffered from a shortage of workers, due to a large number of them being called up for reserve service. Estimates indicate growth of 0.4% last year, making Israel – the site continues – one of the slowest growing economies among developed countries, and austerity measures are likely to limit the extent of the Israeli economy’s recovery during the current year.
Regarding the issue of Syria, the Financial Times newspaper wrote that “Syria deserves to maximize its chances of success, so the West must support it in order to rise again.” The article called on Western countries to be bold, lift sanctions on Syria, and help what was previously called the Syrian opposition to achieve unity. “Otherwise, the situation may slide into chaos and division.”
Foreign Affairs magazine talks about the best means of American support for the new Syria, and says that the leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, demonstrated the ability to adapt to a previously crisis situation in Idlib, so the United States must “provide an opportunity for the new authority by creating conditions for the withdrawal of American forces and leaving… “There is room for Damascus to regain control over the oil-rich agricultural provinces in northeastern Syria.”