US wants war on Gaza to continue, Biden-Netanyahu dispute 'theatrical'
6 Min Read
The deputy chief of the Islamic Jihad Resistance movement tells Al Mayadeen that the US-Israeli relationship is strategic and extends beyond that between Biden and Netanyahu.
-
A Resistance fighter of Hamas' al-Qassam during a parade in Gaza in 2019 (AFP)
A special interview with Mohammad al-Hindi, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, provides insight into the Palestinian situation and negotiations, along with the repercussions of the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Talking to Al Mayadeen, al-Hindi affirmed on Tuesday that, while the resolution reflects the isolation that "Israel" is experiencing worldwide, it will not practically change any of the circumstances.
He pointed out that the United States and the Israeli occupation entity are allies, with their disagreements being tactical rather than strategic. He emphasized that their relationship is broader and more strategic than the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu.
Read more: US, 'Israel' mis-assessed Hamas' firm position on its demands: Axios
Regarding the recent public disputes between the US and "Israel", he described them as "theatrical", adding that they ultimately benefit Netanyahu, who is trying to portray himself as the only one standing in the face of Biden's administration. Al-Hindi explained that the decisions of international institutions are implemented when they serve US interests, and currently, Washington is not inclined to activate them.
“All Israeli steps are theatrical, and the public dispute is in favor of Netanyahu, who is trying to say that he is the only one standing in the face of #Biden's administration.”
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 26, 2024
-The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mohammad al-Hindi#GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/JEJwoKD6FX
The US wants the war on Gaza to continue
The deputy chief of the PIJ stated that "Israel" is dragging on the negotiations. He emphasized that "Israel's" actions are misguiding, despite the clear and specific demands of the Resistance, which has shown flexibility in negotiations. "However, Netanyahu is obstructing the entire process," he stressed.
He added that the Israeli captives are the winning card in the hands of the Resistance, and "Israel" wants to recover them at a cheap price. He affirmed that Israelis have failed to recover a single captive through military means, despite the claims of Netanyahu, who continuously talks about achieving a "decisive victory".
“Israeli captives are the winning card in the hands of the Resistance, and Israel wants to recover the prisoners at a cheap price.”
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 26, 2024
- The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mohammad al-Hindi#GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/zXt2fQSpCB
Read more: Hamdan: 'Israel's' response to our plan was negative, obstructs talks
Al-Hindi also affirmed that Netanyahu and his government's priority is to continue the war, not the captives.
"The Resistance activates pressure tools to achieve the best outcomes in the negotiations," he maintained, emphasizing that the Resistance has prioritized relieving the Palestinian people and stopping the aggression and that it "will not hand over [its] people to a truce [that would allow] Netanyahu afterward to return to his crimes."
On Washington's role in the war on Gaza, al-Hindi said that the "US is providing the coverup to ensure that the war continues, the Resistance in Palestine is uprooted, and the Resistance movements in the region are weakened."
“The #US is providing the coverup to ensure that the war continues, the Resistance in #Palestine is uprooted, and the Resistance movements in the region are weakened."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 26, 2024
-The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mohammad al-Hindi#GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/GRlO61typm
Read more: Palestinian Resistance confronts Israeli forces near al-Shifa
Failed to create rifts in Gaza
On Rafah, al-Hindi said "Netanyahu talks about the attack of Rafah as if it will bring victory," confirming that the Resistance is well and resilient on the battlefield despite all that is being promoted by Israelis.
The occupation entity attempted recently to incite a rift between the Resistance in Gaza and Palestinian clans, aiming to form groups loyal to "Israel" that could fight against the Resistance.
On that note, the senior Islamic Jihad official affirmed that the clans in Gaza are deeply rooted in the Resistance and that communications are ongoing between them and the Resistance, noting that Netanyahu has failed to create a rift between the two sides.
The clans in #Gaza are rooted in the Resistance. Communications are ongoing between them and the Resistance, and Netanyahu has failed to create a rift between the two sides.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 26, 2024
-The Deputy Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Mohammad al-Hindi#GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/rEgM8q9wQg
Al-Hindi also discussed the support fronts in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, confirming their importance as they represent one of the methods of pressuring the United States to discuss serious solutions to stop the Israeli war.
Read more: 'Israel' lost northern front to Hezbollah, senior official says
In this context, al-Hindi said that "Israel" is deeply involved in Gaza, so it cannot expand the war or open an additional front in Lebanon.
The senior PIJ official concluded his remarks by saying that "Israel" has not achieved the goals of this aggression, and any assassination operation of Resistance leaders will not change the equations on the ground.
'Israel' delusional about achieving objectives
In this context, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, Ghazi Hamad, emphasized to Al Mayadeen that there has been no progress in the negotiations and that "Israel" maintains an obstinate position, noting that it is clear that the occupation wants to continue the war despite all international positions.
"There is not any progress in the negotiations due to Israeli intransigence, which makes it clear that the occupation wants to go on with the war despite all [opposing] international positions."
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 26, 2024
- Member of Hamas Political Bureau, Ghazi Hamad#GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/hWu7qfF08N
Hamad shed light on the Israeli massacres in Gaza committed right after the UNSC resolution was passed, saying that the occupation is defying the international will.
Regarding the negotiations, he stated that the occupation met the flexibility shown by the Resistance with more intransigence, pointing out that the Israeli side has negotiated each time without a clear position, which represents Netanyahu's policy.
Read more: UN expert: 'Acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza met'
In this regard, Hamad explained that the main gateway to the agreement is still closed due to "the occupation's refusal to consider the idea of reaching an agreement in the first place."
“The main gateway to reaching an agreement is still closed because the occupation is against the idea of ​​reaching an agreement in the first place.”
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) March 26, 2024
- Member of Hamas Political Bureau, Ghazi Hamad#GazaUnderAttack https://t.co/MqR6DRzYVN
Addressing the negotiations, Hamad noted that there is an exchange of ideas with the mediators, emphasizing that this exchange does not come within the framework of pressuring Hamas as it has become clear that the Resistance movement does not offer flexibility unless on its own terms.
Commenting on the Israeli potential attack on Rafah, the Hamas official did not rule out the possibility that the occupation would launch a widescale aggression on the city, yet he stressed the necessity of international pressure on the occupation to prevent this.
Hamad concluded by saying that the Israeli leadership is delusional and will not be able to achieve its goals in Gaza. "Israel" will continue to pile up failures, he maintained.
