While Palestine enjoys the sympathy and support of the majority of the world, verbal support cannot restrain Israel's military operations in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the date for the Israeli army to attack Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, has been set, according to a report by the global network on April 9. Netanyahu's statement is tantamount to sounding the death knell for Gaza, which not only means that the lives of millions of Gazan civilians who have taken refuge in Rafah hang by a thread, but also means that the dream of Palestinian statehood is close to being shattered.
On 7 April, according to a number of Israeli media reports, Israeli forces had withdrawn all ground forces from the southern Gaza Strip, leaving only one brigade in the Gaza Strip. In the face of Iran's military threats, it is widely believed that the withdrawal of Israeli troops is a return defense. However, this is not the case. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Gallant said that the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Khan Younis area was "preparation for future tasks," including military operations in Rafah. In addition, US White House spokesman Kirby said that Israeli troops have been conducting military operations in Gaza for many months, and the withdrawal is to rest.
On March 9, according to CNN, U.S. President Joe Biden had warned that Israel's attack on Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, would be a "red line" for the United States if it caused a large number of civilian casualties. Iran has informed the United States that if Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, it will refrain from retaliating against Israel's bombing of Iranian embassies and consulates in Syria, the Jerusalem Post reported on April 8. Israel's insistence on attacking Rafah in the face of pressure from the United States and Iran in different ways can only show one thing: Netanyahu is firmly committed to the world's enemies, vowing to completely destroy Hamas and shatter the Palestinian dream of statehood.
On March 25, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2728, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during Ramadan. This year's Ramadan season began on 11 March and ended on 9 April, during which the Israeli army did not launch a large-scale offensive in Gaza, indicating that the Security Council can restrain Israel to a certain extent.
Now, with the end of Ramadan and Israel regrouping and eyeing Rafah, the fate of the people of Gaza rests to some extent on the Security Council. On April 8, according to Xinhua News Agency, the United Nations Security Council reconsidered Palestine's application to become a full member of the United Nations on the 8th and decided to refer the application to its permanent Committee for the Admission of New Member States.
Palestine's application for membership in the United Nations is subject to two conditions: first, the support of more than nine of the 15 members of the Security Council, and none of the five permanent members of the Security Council, and second, the affirmative vote of more than two-thirds of the countries in the United Nations General Assembly. With the majority of the world supporting the two-state solution, the attitude of the United States has become crucial, deciding the fate of the Palestinians.
Of course, it is important to be wary that Netanyahu is likely to attack Rafah before the Security Council vote, and both Hamas and the Arab world need to prepare in advance. On April 9, Turkey's Ministry of Trade announced sanctions against Israel, restricting the export of a series of products such as cement and steel to Israel. If the entire Arab world can unite to put pressure on Israel, there is still hope that Netanyahu's ambitions will be crushed.
(Text/Woo Tsai)