In the midst of the escalating tensions in Gaza, the Biden administration has engaged various Israeli officials, urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to scale down the intense operations. On a mission to mitigate the burgeoning humanitarian crisis and reap the peace benefits across the region, the U.S has proposed a switchover to a low-intensity operation within weeks.
One of the most critical topics in these dialogues is to decide when and how to transition from the ongoing high-intensity operation. This transformation is anticipated to bring down civilian casualties, permit more humanitarian aid into Gaza, while significantly lowering the regional tensions in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, therefore, reducing the threat of a regional war.
Further, in an unprecedented move, a senior U.S official declared that the Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's days are 'numbered', stating that justice will soon be served on Sinwar. This comes in response to the fact that Sinwar played a pivotal role in the conflict.
Both Israeli and U.S. officials believe stepping down the intensity of the conflict would be one significant step closer to ending the war once Sinwar is eliminated. A defining event that stamps the defeat of Hamas and marks the end of Sinwar's reign, they believe, would send a powerful message not just to the region, but to the world.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu previously mentioned that Sinwar's home in Khan Younis was surrounded, which triggered speculations about any imminent action against him. Israeli intelligence indeed has a wealth of information about the region, but getting to Sinwar is not straightforward. As a part of the strategy, the Israeli forces are exerting pressure on the Hamas leadership by shifting their presence across the city, hence anticipating Sinwar and cohorts to make a fatal mistake. This, in turn, could expose the location of their hideout.
Despite the proactive measures, the Israeli forces continue to wait for the crucial moment when they can counter-strike effectively. It underscores, yet again, the complexity and challenges in diffusing the conflict.
