21.05.2021 – 17:03
One of the most grim aspects of the conflict that has unfolded in recent days is its apparent familiarity, especially to those living through it.
Even young people have faced this violence many times before: The Norwegian Refugee Council reported that 11 of the children killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza last week were participating in its psychosocial program to help them with traumatized.
In all, 228 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip, at least 63 of them children, while 12 people in Israel, including two children, were killed by rockets fired by Palestinian militant groups.
Both sides ignore the lives of civilians.
But it is mostly Palestinian children who have died, lost parents or siblings and their homes, schools and health services have been hit.
Late Thursday, Israel announced a ceasefire after 11 days of violence, with Hamas confirming that the ceasefire would begin overnight.
It was clear that both sides were looking for a way out, and Joe Biden had sharpened his tone the day before, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that he “expected a significant de-escalation on the way a ceasefire ”.
This is well known: the US started by talking only about Israel's right to defend itself, and blocking attempts to put pressure on the UN, but speaking more harshly as a resolution seemed more credible.
The administration reportedly believes it is better to lobby privately than to say in public.
The approach reflects the president's business style and the Obama administration's experience, which Netanyahu showed contempt for.
But Donald Trump's unbridled enthusiasm for Netanyahu and his gifts weakened the Palestinians and emboldened the Israeli prime minister.
But something has changed: his party and parts of the public are shifting. An influx of progressive Democrats into Congress, and the energy of the Black Lives Matter movement, have brought renewed support to the Palestinian cause.
Many in the American Jewish community, especially the younger generations, are increasingly critical of Israel.
This time, the conflict seems to have caught the public's attention.
Biden has much to preoccupy him domestically and internationally.
Basically, he wants all of this to disappear.
But this latest violence has shown that it will continue to return until the real problems are addressed.
The United States may prefer not to think about all of this for now.
But in the long run, Israel may find that it cannot rely on such a confident partner.
Translated and adapted by The Guardian / konica.al
