Detainees, Truce and Agreements *title altered at OP's request*

[stormy4319trevor]

Continuing broad discussion of the release of detainees, hostages and prisoners and the agreements around this.

I don't know if it could lead to economic sanctions, maybe, if the resolution is ignored.

@stormy4319trevor No unfortunately the resolution can't lead to UN economic sanctions to ensure compliance - it just doesn't have that power unlike the vetoed Security Council resolution

The power of this resolution is in giving a united voice to global opinion on what needs to happen in Gaza and thereby 'shame/embaress' protagonists [and their allies] into changing their actions and goes some way to isolating them on the global naughty step

It doesn't prevent nations or groups of nations eg EU from imposing economic sanctions on either/or both parties - and maybe gives them more support to do so. Or taking other routes eg banning Israel from Eurovision/sporting events

There was a similar resolution in Oct 2022 wrt Russia's invasion of Ukraine which served the same purpose even tho' it didn't stop the war

In more flooding tunnel news from Biden - not exactly encouraging

Responding in Washington to a question about the reports, Biden said on Tuesday:

''With regard to the flooding of the tunnels. I’m not at lib – well, there [are] assertions being made that ... there’s no hostages in any of these tunnels. But I don’t know that for a fact''.

NB

EU has already sanctioned senior Hamas figures

'Gaza' can't be banned from Eurovision because it's not in it. Similarly with major sporting events - reportedly many of their football team have been killed/injured

@Efacsen Yes, makes sense re: sanctions. I did see sanctions already imposed on senior Hamas officials, curious to see if further measures follow on both sides.

Biden's statements re: tunnels is extremely worrying. He doesn't sound confident there about the hostages.

@stormy4319trevor yes Biden didn't sound quite all there or certain about he was allowed to say - I know he's not always like that

I've read elsewhere - but can't remember where that IDF is in fact already flooding some empty tunnels on a trial basis - but concerns remain about the environmental impacts etc

Hostages apart it feels like just another way to wreck Gaza forever

Good point. At this rate, if 2 states is ever agreed, then it will have to be on another piece of land, since Gaza will be uninhabitable. Actually, if it could be of a similar size to Gaza, but connected to the WB, that might be more practical. Unlikely, but who knows.

The current government of Israel don't want a 2 state solution so the future is very uncertain. This fighting could last months if left unchecked and what happens after. Gaza is going to be completely destroyed, civilians are struggling with lack of basics and with winter coming it all looks quite dire.

Interesting discussion on The Rest is Politics podcast. Including the obvious fact that Israel bombing Gaza is not a strategy to get the hostages released, whatever the Israeli Govt may say in its comms.

@Rachna83 Just watched a Sky news interview with Tzipi Hotevely. When asked if there would be a 2 state solution she said 'absolutely not,' though she didn't say what would happen instead. I suppose that is going to get awkward for Biden if officials keep saying it so loudly.

@stormy4319trevor I read it on sky too
I can't watch as I absolutely despise the woman. She has never wanted a two state solution and its clear Netanyahu never intended it either

Have you seen the interview on Channel 4 when she was asked if she has empathy for the Palestinians
Horrible horrible woman

It's becoming clearer that the point is to destroy Gaza, destroy the homes, the hospitals, schools, parks, everything. In Israels eyes, they turn it into a 'tent city' break the people down and give them no hope to ever rebuild from the rubble so then when the push is given to leave, they leave.

Yes. She's really extreme, but I assume she represents the views of her government, as that's her job. Not very diplomatic for a diplomat!

@stormy4319trevor she's always been extreme
I'm sure she said it in 2015 too let me find it

She is a horrible women. Not very likeable at all. I did see it mentioned that once this phase is over Gaza will be occupied by the Israeli army initially so yeah not sure what to make of that or just exactly what they are planning.
I was just watching some of the stories of the Palestinians I follow on my Instagram. It's raining heavily and the makeshift tents in the south are just filling up with water.

“It’s important to say — this country is all ours. We didn’t come here to apologize for that,”

Wow. Was she an ambassador in 2015?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/22/israels-new-deputy-foreign-minister-this-land-is-ours-all-of-it-is-ours

This was from 2015
She believes that God gave it all to the Jewish people
Palestine included
And now she is Israels ambassador to the UK

Wow and that was back in 2015.

@stormy4319trevor she wasn't ambassador then but foreign minister
Very far right

@Rachna The rain is making things even harder. I don't know what the US is thinking, these people can't survive for weeks like this.
@Struggggggling There were some politicians saying things like that from the beginning, but somehow the US and the UK didn't get the memo.

Thanks @Parkingt111 I suppose she's popular with the religious settler movement, as her views coincide. I'm just surprised politicians are blatantly spelling out they won't agree to 2 states. In the past they always tip toed around it. Eylon Levy also said they don't think the settlements are illegal recently. I can't see how western politicians can continue ignoring it.

@stormy4319trevor maybe that's why Biden is saying there needs to be a change in government although he phrased it as the most 'Conservative' government that Israel has had.
Although not sure how much influence he has anymore seeing as Netanyahu and Co are openly opposing him

The last militant head of state in the Middle East that had been put into power by the US but then defied it ended up having his country invaded, him hunted down, a closed trial, and finally ignominious execution by hanging in a basement. The US doesn’t have endless patience and really doesn’t like being ignored.