In shattering the two-month ceasefire that had brought fragile peace and relief to Gaza, Israel has also smashed the faint hopes that a resolution might just remain within reach. That was one of the deadliest days since the early months of the conflict, sparked by the lethal Hamas raid of Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel said it was attacking “terror targets,” but health authorities in Gaza said that 174 children and 89 women were among the more than 400 dead. Evacuation orders issued by the military suggest that a renewed ground offensive was on its way for traumatized and repeatedly displaced Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that it was “only the beginning” and the military issued new evacuation orders. Families of the remaining Israeli hostages are terrified and angry too, attacking the government for choosing to give up on them.
Horror is piling upon horror. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since the war began, and the numbers grew even during the ceasefire, many due to Israel’s blocking of aid. British Secretary of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy on Monday belatedly acknowledged that as a breach of international law — only for the prime minister’s spokesperson to rebuke him.
A UN report last week said that Israel’s attacks on women’s healthcare in Gaza amounted to “genocidal acts,” and that security forces had used sexual violence as a weapon of war to “dominate and destroy the Palestinian people.” A previous UN commission found that “relentless and deliberate attacks” on medical personnel and facilities amounted to war crimes.
Building on the ceasefire always looked difficult. Negotiations never seriously began for the second phase that was supposed to bring about a permanent cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, and the total withdrawal of Israeli forces — never mind consideration of the hypothetical third phase, Gaza’s reconstruction.
Netanyahu, who blames Hamas’ intransigence in refusing to release all the hostages now for the end of the ceasefire, is kept in power by endless conflict. He was due to testify in his corruption trial on Tuesday, but canceled, citing the renewed offensive. He needs support to pass a budget by the end of the month or his government would be dissolved. Resuming airstrikes has brought back one of his far-right coalition partners, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, and should prevent the other, Bezalel Smotrich, from jumping ship. Israelis challenging, as authoritarian, his attempts to dismiss Israel Security Agency chief Ronen Bar can be accused of undermining the patriotic cause.
Yet most Israelis wanted to move to the second phase of the ceasefire, a recent survey showed. The testimony of returned hostages has refocused attention on the plight of those still held.
The renewed attack has been widely and rightly condemned in Europe and the Arab world. However, Israel, which was undeterred by former US president Joe Biden’s feeble scoldings, is now dealing with a president who told it to pause for a beat, but is happy to give it the green light to resume and urge it to go further. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly promoted the forced displacement of Palestinians — another war crime. The US and Israel have reportedly contacted officials in Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland about resettling uprooted Palestinians. Those plans are no more tolerable for being far-fetched. The Arab peace plan was a clear statement that there is a better alternative. However, for Israel’s right, which will not tolerate Palestinian aspirations to statehood, the destruction of hope is not merely a result of this war, but the goal. It must not succeed.
You wish every Taiwanese spoke English like I do. I was not born an anglophone, yet I am paid to write and speak in English. It is my working language and my primary idiom in private. I am more than bilingual: I think in English; it is my language now. Can you guess how many native English speakers I had as teachers in my entire life? Zero. I only lived in an English-speaking country, Australia, in my 30s, and it was because I was already fluent that I was able to live and pursue a career. English became my main language during adulthood
Somehow, US intelligence identified “the Houthis’ top missile guy” and pinpointed his exact location. At 1348 hours (Washington time), March 15, President Trump’s national security advisor Mike Waltz texted, “positive ID of him walking into his girlfriend’s building.” The unsuspecting Romeo entered. High above, the drone monitoring the building registered a flash. When the smoke cleared, Mr. Waltz texted, “…And it’s now collapsed.” RIP. The star-crossed “top missile guy” had been target number one in the now uproarious US Navy bombing campaign on that Sunday against the Yemeni rebels who have been holding the Red Sea hostage since October 19,
Taiwan on Monday celebrated Freedom of Speech Day. The commemoration is not an international day, and was first established in Tainan by President William Lai (賴清德) in 2012, when he was mayor of that city. The day was elevated to a national holiday in 2016 by then-president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). Lai chose April 7, because it marks the anniversary of the death of democracy advocate Deng Nan-jung (鄭南榕), who started Freedom Era Weekly to promote freedom of expression. Thirty-six years ago, a warrant for Deng’s arrest had been issued after he refused to appear in court to answer charges of
The Opinion page has published several articles and editorials over the past few weeks addressing Taiwan’s efforts to leverage unique or strong aspects of its culture to increase international awareness of the nation. These have included submissions by foreign journalists and overseas students, highlighting how bubble milk tea, Guinness World Record attempts, the entertainment sectors, impressive scenery, world-class cuisine and important contributions to the high-tech supply chain can enhance Taiwan’s recognition overseas and therefore its soft power. That entails competing for attention in already crowded sectors. Other nations, after all, offer popular entertainment exports, beautiful scenic spots and great food.
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