All articles tagged with #status quo
Israeli far-right Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited and prayed at the sensitive al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, violating longstanding arrangements and provoking condemnation from Jordan, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority, amid ongoing tensions over the site’s status and control.
The recent deadly attack by Hamas on Israel has shattered the status quo that had been in place between the two parties since 2009. Israel's intelligence services failed to anticipate the attack, highlighting a significant lapse. Hamas, a non-state actor, has little concern for the needs of the people under its rule, as essential services are provided by external organizations. The future remains uncertain, as Hamas seeks the elimination of Israel, a demand that Israelis are unlikely to offer. If Israel responds with maximum destruction, it could regain the image of a victim, while Hamas risks losing sympathy for the Palestinian cause. The Biden administration's Middle East policy is also criticized for its failure to discard Obama's approach.
Israel has launched 15 military operations in Gaza since 2005 but is in no rush to find a solution. The Palestinian militias also benefit from the status quo. The recent flare-ups in Gaza show that everyone wins except for the people.