JERUSALEM — More than 350,000 reservists have been called up. Many have been sent to the north, and many have been practicing an invasion of Gaza.
But there are delays. Some, with the support of the U.S., say that we should wait until the return of hostages. Others say that we should wait until the U.S. positions anti-missile defense shields, presumably concerned about what may be sent our way from Iran.
There have been brief incursions of Israeli tanks into the north of Gaza.
Who will pick the fruit since the entry of Gazans has been stopped?
We’ve met a friend who told of spending time picking fruit, as a volunteer.
Biden repeats a call for a two-state solution.
Others have said that Israel should worry about what comes next.
Perhaps we should shrink the Palestinian area of Gaza, increase suffering, produce another generation of Hamas fighters, and wait for the next round of violence.
Bibi seems to have agreed to delays, while the head of IDF has said that he is ready for an invasion.
Meanwhile a heavy bombardment of Gaza, with an emphasis on Hamas locations in the center have continued. We hear of 7,500 Palestinian deaths, but that number has not been confirmed. And we;ve heard about the limited capacity of Gazan hospitals to accept more wounded.
Who will rebuild what we are destroying in Gaza?
What about claims that we should desist, and allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza?
Biden has endorsed Israel’s right of self-defense, and attacking Gaza. But he also calls for us to recognize the rights of civilians.
Who are they? How should we identify them?
Apparently, our publication of horrible incidents of Hamas destruction of civilians has not penetrated deeply enough.
We’ve been critical of António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for comments that began with a condemnation of Hamas terror, but also included reference to many years of Israeli occupation.
We hear balance also from the U.S., and from many Israelis.
Can we ignore this, and proceed to wipe out Hamas?
Or will whatever we do end up with some kind of compromise, in order to free hostages, produce humanitarian aid, and begin the rebuilding of Gaza?
Wars were simpler when there were no social platforms, available to any and all who claimed to be suffering and wanting aid.
War is hell. For many people.
And when all can reach the media, and find spokespeople for their interests, the hell is widely shared and moaned.
And it delays action.