Biden Is in a Hurry To End the War in Order To Devote Himself to His Battle With Trump

An-Nahar, Lebanon, March 23

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on his sixth tour of the region since the Gaza conflict began. His initial visit aimed to demonstrate support for Israel’s military actions against Hamas, followed by an attempt to find a diplomatic solution regarding the resettling of Palestinian refugees in Northern Sinai, Egypt, and other Arab countries. Nearly six months after the war, Blinken’s latest visit serves as an American effort to bring closure to the significant war. There is an ongoing objective to conclude military operations against Hamas while allowing President Joe Biden to focus on his upcoming election battle against former President Donald Trump. During his tour, Blinken will address the political prospects for establishing a Palestinian state, starting with forming a government to govern the West Bank and Gaza Strip following the war. The plan also involves reducing Hamas’ military capabilities to a point where they may willingly hand over control in Gaza, at least temporarily, until new elections take place within 24 months. In the Gaza situation, Blinken aims to alleviate the pressure on Palestinians amid Netanyahu’s expulsion plan. While the US and Israel align on defeating Hamas, there is a discrepancy in the two countries’ stance on how to manage Gaza post-conflict. The United States leans toward isolating Hamas politically and security-wise, which could initiate a shift in leadership. However, coordinating with Arab nations on the future Palestinian government poses challenges, given differing priorities and the looming US presidential election. There is concern that a major political initiative may lose momentum as the election nears. Additionally, navigating the array of views among Arab nations regarding the post-Hamas era necessitates extensive diplomatic efforts. Iran’s influence also plays a significant role, potentially destabilizing both security and political dynamics not only within Palestinian territories but also in Lebanon, where Hizbullah holds sway. The goal is to apply pressure on the Palestinian front from neighboring Arab states, with Syria also at risk of being embroiled in regional tactics orchestrated by Iran and Russia. The outcomes of Blinken’s visit remain unpredictable, given the complexity of regional dynamics. Blinken faces the challenge of consolidating diverse interests to steer the Palestinian situation toward a more stable future. Failure to do so could result in yet another unfruitful visit, echoing his previous endeavors. —Ali Hamada (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)