Former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis and the need for a global response. They explore Israel's objectives in the ground invasion, the shift in tone of the Biden administration, and the regional ripple effects of the crisis.
Israel's main objective in the invasion of Gaza is to eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, while also addressing the complex issues of hostage safety and potential regional conflicts backed by Iran.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza raises concerns about Israel's soft power, potential strain on US support and peace agreements, humanitarian obligations, and the possibility of Hezbollah's involvement in the war.
Deep dives
Hamas invades Israel and commits horrific acts
On October 7, Hamas, a group considered a terrorist organization by many Western governments, invaded Israel from Gaza and perpetrated horrific acts, including slaughtering over 1,400 people and kidnapping more than 200 others. Israel retaliated by bombarding Gaza and then initiating a ground invasion. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life and a full-blown humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel's objective and constraints in the invasion of Gaza
Israel's main objective in the invasion of Gaza is to eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas. However, this operation faces several constraints. First, the hostages taken by Hamas complicate the situation, as their safe release is a priority. Second, there is a risk that the conflict could spread to other regions and organizations backed by Iran. Third, Israel must adhere to international law and maintain legitimacy in the eyes of the world. Lastly, even if Israel achieves its objective and removes Hamas from Gaza, there is a need to establish a new governing entity for the region.
The role of Ehud Barak and Netanyahu's leadership
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, the most decorated soldier in Israel's history, discusses the ongoing conflict and Netanyahu's leadership. Barak criticizes Netanyahu for neglecting the security of southern communities and prioritizing the strengthening of Hamas. He also expresses concerns about Netanyahu's ability to accomplish the goals of the invasion and suggests that Netanyahu should step down due to the significant failures in intelligence and politics.
International repercussions and prospects for the future
The podcast explores the potential repercussions of the conflict on Israel's soft power, US support, and global opinion. There are concerns about a loss of support from the United States and other countries, particularly Muslim-majority nations. The Abrahamic Accords, Israel's peace agreements with some Arab countries, could be strained. The focus on vengeance and civilian casualties in Gaza raises questions about Israel's humanitarian obligations and impacts on its standing in the world. There is also a discussion about the possibility of Hezbollah getting involved and the measures taken to prevent a third front in the war.
Over the weekend, Israel began its ground invasion of Gaza, compounding the humanitarian crisis there and causing record civilian losses. This comes amid growing concerns from experts of a larger regional conflict. How should the United States and the global community respond to prevent further escalation in the region and minimize harm to the Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians?
Former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak joins host Ravi Agrawal on this week’s episode of Foreign Policy Live.