90Piesanhour I think we are certainly currently witnessing the end of a viable two state solution (if the possibility ever really existed), possibly the end of the idea of Palestinian nationhood, of any sort, on any level, and possibly the end the idea of a Palestinian.
Israel now has a clear run at dealing with what some members of its government see as the Palestinian problem, once and for all and without restraint. The amount of bombs they have/are dropping on the Gaza strip is criminal (1,000 bombs a day average), and they are averaging 14 Palestinian deaths a hour every hour, and that is just the prelude for the ground offensive, the Israeli Army has supposedly loosened it's already loose rules of engagement in anticipation, and the whole thing now has all the hallmarks of a shooting fish in a barrel. Any male Palestinian aged between 16 and 60 is fair game, and will be seen as a member of Hamas until proven otherwise post mortem.
It may be overt pessimism on my part, but I would not be at all surprised if either the US and/or UK get involved in this at an operational level. It'll just take one 'incident'. Both seem to be vying for the position of Israel's #1 supporter, and both want to get their dicks wet (both Starmer & Sunak have made disgraceful statements in my opinion).
Biden is tonight reportedly asking for $100bn worth of military aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, and the US have got some heavy gear parked off the coast. The Pentagon also plans to send Israel tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells that it had earmarked for Ukraine. A sledgehammer is being used to crack a nut. Other than turning the place into glass, i'm not sure what they want to do.
So far in Gaza, the Israel military have destroyed 70,000 residential units, 65 government buildings, 71 schools, 145 industrial facilities, 61 media headquarters, 18 mosques, and damaged dozens of ancient churches and mosques.
60 international charities, including Action Aid UK, Bond, Cafod, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Médecins Sans Frontières UK, Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK have signed a statement calling on our government to step up its efforts to secure an urgent ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Someone needs to clarify with Sunak what his view of 'winning' looks like; how much more death & destruction is wrought before he thinks that the game is won & medals can be given out.
