Israel/Palestine Thread

Seems Qatar may actually be pretty p*ssed at Israel. Trump too apparently:

Qatar is pressuring the UAE to take immediate diplomatic measures against Israel, including closing its embassy in Tel Aviv, as part of its response to the Israeli strike in Doha, diplomatic sources in Gulf states told Haaretz.

A regional diplomat told Haaretz that Qatar does not intend to ignore the strike, and is considering multiple measures. "The gloves are off," the diplomat said.

U.S. President Trump told PM Netanyahu that his decision to strike Hamas' leadership in Qatar wasn't wise, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources who described the exchange as heated. According to the report, Trump received no prior notice of the strike, and learned about it from the U.S. military as it was happening. A senior Trump administration official told the WSJ that Trump is growing frustrated with Netanyahu's aggressive tactics, which often blindside the U.S. and act contrary to American interests in the region.

After Netanyahu warned Qatar on Wednesday to either expel Hamas officials or "bring them to justice. Because if you don't, we will," Qatar described his remarks as "reckless." Later on Thursday, Qatar announced that it will host an emergency Arab-Islamic summit next Sunday and Monday to discuss Israel's attack on Doha.

These three pieces are very interesting.

Hamas leadership may see the failed attack as an opportunity perhaps - demonise Israel and appeal to hostage families thus getting them to pressure the Israeli Govt?

Egypt has no love for Israel but clearly stating what the consequences are if Netanyahu has a pop at negotiators on Egyptian soil.

Hostage mother says it as it is…

Hamas leadership intends to continue cease-fire negotiations despite Israel's strike in Qatar, sources in the organization told the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that contacts with mediators would resume in the coming days, and that Hamas would hold internal consultations to determine how to conduct the talks "to guarantee an end to the war regardless of what happened in Doha."

Egypt has discussed reviving Gaza truce talks with the U.S. and has offered to host and protect Palestinian faction leaders, Lebanon's Al-Akhbar reported. Egyptian sources said that as of Wednesday, these efforts had made little progress "given Israel's refusal to apologize" for the strike. Officials in Cairo warned that any Israeli attempt at an assassination on Egyptian soil would have "devastating consequences." 

Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan, told Israel's Army Radio that she believes IDF officials aren't speaking out publicly against the war in Gaza because "everyone who has spoken in favor of a deal up until now has been dismissed and replaced – we are living under a dictatorship" in which everything hinges on the decisions of one man.

seems Egypt might be key in unlocking a deal… Interesting piece:

"When it comes to Hamas and Gaza, Egypt and Qatar differ in several ways.

Doha supports Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated terror organizations, Hamas included, whereas Egypt fights them.

Cairo is committed to regional stability while Qatar leverages its potent Al Jazeera mouthpiece to undermine it.

Egypt's record of mediation successes between Israel and Hamas outweighs Qatar's too.

And when it comes to motivation, unlike the distant Gulf emirate, what happens in Gaza directly affects Egypt's national security.

Consequently, were Egypt again to take center stage, all who pray and yearn for the negotiations' success may have gained a new occasion for hope"

Nimrod Novik

The world would breathe a sigh of relief if some brave Israelis nabbed him and bundled him on a plane to The Hague.

I'd bet there are lads in the IDF, maybe even Mossad, who would "assist".

I read a piece today that alluded to that. Can't recall where I'm afraid.

But Gavin simply stating what a typical military analyst would say - nothing underhand or nefarious. Maybe "clumsy" but no more than that.

I certainly didn't read his statement myself as any kind of support/justification at all. He does not strike me as that type of person at all.