FTR
'Those calling for a ceasefire in Gaza really need to understand that there WAS a ceasefire, signed in June. Hamas broke it on Oct 7th. As they broke the one before that, and the one before that, and the one before that. As they will break the next one'
"Over the past two weeks, when I talked to Arab officials throughout the region whom I have long known, every single one told me that Hamas must be destroyed in Gaza."
(Unlocked article)
I Might Have Once Favored a Cease-Fire With Hamas, but Not Now https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/opinion/hamas-war-gaza-israel.html
@ecksmc Summary, since NYT gift articles don't always work.
I Might Have Once Favored a Cease Fire with Hamas but Not Now - opinion by Dennis Ross, former US envoy to the Middle East who spent 35 years trying to negotiate peace.
Peace is not possible "as long as Hamas remains intact and in control of Gaza." I've talked to many Arab leaders throughout the region. Every one said privately that Hamas must be destroyed. ...
@ecksmc ...Getting aid to Gaza "could help show residents that life can get better when Hamas is no longer preventing the rebuilding of Gaza." During the war Israel must minimize harm to civilians to "demonstrate more convincingly that it is fighting Hamas and is not trying to punish Palestinian civilians." And they "must communicate that they understand a political resolution is needed with the Palestinians more generally"
@ecksmc ...Publicly Arab leaders must be seen to support Hamas. If Hamas is not finished, just as "after conflicts with Israel in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2021, the group will almost certainly rearm and restore" and attack again. Its military infrastructure and leadership must be eliminated for there to be any possibility of peace.
Afterward there must be credible administration of Gaza led by Palestenians with support from Arab nations, the UN, the US. ...