In an intriguing turn of events, Minister Dermer, known to be the closest confidant of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, paid a visit to the White House today. Dermer held significant meetings with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Blinken. This development raised eyebrows for several reasons, primarily because Dermer is the sole person Netanyahu truly trusts and often acts as his messenger to Washington. During these meetings, Dermer conveyed three key messages that piqued interest.
Firstly, he discussed plans for the aftermath of the military operations in Gaza. Interestingly, while Netanyahu publicly opposes any role for the Palestinian Authority in post-Hamas governance in Gaza, Dermer privately mentioned the possibility of a 'Reformed Palestinian Authority' or a 'Revitalized Palestinian Authority' (RPA). This discrepancy between public and private statements reflects Netanyahu's concerns about losing favor among his right-wing coalition if he openly acknowledges the Palestinian Authority's involvement in Gaza's future. However, this subtle shift in rhetoric indicates a potential evolution in Israeli policy.
Secondly, Dermer addressed the next phase of the ground operation in Gaza. Specific details regarding this stage were not disclosed, but it demonstrates that Israel is actively strategizing and adapting to the changing dynamics of the conflict.
Lastly, Dermer raised the issue of the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) ammunition supply. This indicates a growing concern within Israel about the quantity of available munitions for sustained military operations.
As the conflict progresses, the Israelis have come to a realization, albeit belatedly, that the transition to the 'day after' is not a distant future but rather a matter of weeks. The IDF will eventually scale down its current high-intensity activities and withdraw from major Palestinian cities, including Gaza City. This raises crucial questions about governance and control once Hamas retreats into their fortified bunkers. Will Hamas be allowed to regain power, or will an alternate entity have to step in? Unfortunately, there are no clear answers at this juncture.
Interestingly, neighboring nations, particularly Egypt, have proposed comprehensive solutions encompassing a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the establishment of a new post-Hamas government in Gaza. However, this proposal has been met with resistance from both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as it would require them to relinquish significant power in Gaza, particularly to their political rival, the Palestinian Authority. For now, this proposition seems to be unsuccessful and unlikely to gain traction.
As the conflict continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these nuanced messages from Dermer will shape future developments and ultimately bring about a resolution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
