Global newspapers have covered the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the potential for the conflict to escalate into an open-ended war amid stalled negotiations and diverging stances among the involved parties.
In an analysis published by the French newspaper Libération, it was noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for a prolonged war in Gaza, while U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to "open the gates of hell" if prisoners are not released before his return to office.
The newspaper described the current state as a "simple truce" rather than a comprehensive agreement, adding that the world has grown accustomed to the tragic situation in Gaza despite the rising death toll.
Similarly, Foreign Policy magazine revealed a division within the Israeli establishment regarding a potential prisoner exchange deal. While senior military leaders and a majority of Israelis support an agreement to release detainees in exchange for ending the conflict, decision-makers, led by Netanyahu, oppose such a deal.
The magazine noted that the military rationale for continuing the war is based on Israel's inability to decisively defeat the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) thus far.
In a report for Orient XXI, Rami Abu Jamous from Gaza wrote that the residents of the Strip still hold onto hope for a ceasefire and an end to the war.
Biden is Wasting Time
However, he warned that the "real war" will begin after the current military operations end, pointing to the significant challenges of rebuilding people, social relationships, and reshaping the lifestyle of Gaza's residents.
In Washington, Politico reported that Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized President Joe Biden's administration for not taking sufficient action in response to the Israeli government's behavior and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The newspaper also cited an unnamed Democratic congressional aide accusing the Biden administration of trying to "waste time" until the end of its term without reaching concrete conclusions regarding Israeli practices.
In a notable development, the Swiss newspaper Le Temps revealed an escalating crisis within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is facing a new challenge in Israel. Two Israeli laws set to take effect at the end of the month will force the agency to withdraw its foreign staff from Jerusalem and close its headquarters.
Trump is avoiding confrontation and refrains from condemning Israel for ethnic cleansing, yet he supports a decisive resolution, even if it is more brutal. Therefore, in the near term, there appears to be no solution to end this conflict. However, the situation seems headed toward a resolution under an upcoming right-wing U.S. administration.