Israeli Blackmail of Resistance Will Lead to Escalation

Jun 24, 2021 09:40 am

This time, unlike earlier statements, Yahya Al-Sinwar, Hamas' Chief in the Gaza Strip, declared that the meeting with Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, went very bad; and warned against the continuation of the blackmailing policy of the Palestinian people.

Al-Sinwar's statement reflects the dead end the negotiations between the Palestinian resistance and Israeli occupation had reached. The negotiations addressed the solidification of the calm, lifting the siege, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and conclusion of prisoners' swap deal.

The blackmail Al-Sinwar referred to was what some Israeli media outlets had mentioned about the reason behind the failure of the prisoners' swap deal; i.e. the Israeli insistence on linking the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip with the prisoners' deal. The Palestinian resistance also considers preventing the entry of the Qatari grant into the Gaza Strip as a form of blackmail as well, and an attempt to degrade the military performance of the Palestinian resistance in Operation Al-Quds Sword; especially that the attacks against Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah continue.

Palestinian Perspective

Al-Sinwar announced inviting the Palestinian factions to meet next Tuesday to study the possible response methods to the Israeli stalling policy. It is clear the resistance is upset over the Israeli policy that aims to steal what the resistance deemed as victory in the recent battle and has caused it embarrassment with its people since after so many sacrifices the siege was supposed to be lifted, the city to be reconstructed and the economic situation to improve.

The resistance will, therefore, resort to gradual exercise of pressure. It would activate the use of heavy tools at the eastern and northern borders of the Strip with the occupied Palestine of 1948: It will activate night confusion activities, and firing burning balloons. It might be followed with popular work as the one started two years ago.

The resistance has already begun conducting such events after the battle, and these have raised the Israeli concerns since the settlers are insomniac about it. Such tools, although with little cost, drain the Israeli army and result in major economic losses. This does not mean that the resistance wants war at the meantime, but it has to take this bumpy road.

Israeli Perspective

It appears that the Israeli government, too, does not want a new confrontation for now at least. It is still unstable, and a new aggression against the Gaza Strip would lead to the Arab List's withdrawal from the government hence lead to the government's downfall.

Israeli Policies

The Israeli occupation does not want Gaza to enjoy its victory, so it uses the humanitarian needs of the people to achieve what the war machine failed to. This policy hindered the path for allowing the Qatari grant and goods into the Strip, and opening the crossings.

It is expected as the Israeli security delegation announced its visit to Cairo that the occupation would declare a group of measures: allowing the Qatari grant and goods into the Strip, opening the crossings and expanding the fishing area. However, these remain connected to the amount of pressure the resistance can exercise. The tide has already started and lots of mediators are getting involved.

Round of Escalation

Despite the importance of all the humanitarian aids that are intended to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, the occupation's offer is still limited. The Palestinian people and its resistance are expecting after 15 years of siege the end of such blockade, reconstruction of the Strip and conclusion of an honorable swap deal. The achievement of such goals will follow a round of escalation, which may not level up to a war but will make sense. Any uncalculated move or strange from the usual rules of engagement, such as the assassination of a Palestinian leader or martyrdom of many in the bombardment of resistance locations, will lead to an open war.

 

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