As the Israel-Hamas conflict resumes following the cessation of a temporary truce and the collapse of diplomatic efforts by multiple nations to halt the devastating war, the situation is poised to take a divergent trajectory, leaving no immediate resolution in sight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resolute assertion that the operations will persist until the dismantling of Hamas further underscores the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the ongoing strife, according to assessments by US political and military strategists.
Economically, the toll on Israel is staggering, with estimations pegging the daily cost of the war at a substantial $270 million. Projections indicate a significant 5 percent downturn in the GDP during the third quarter, coupled with a distressing halt in scientific research as university students are drawn into the conflict, as revealed by sources within Israeli ministry circles.
A protracted ceasefire in Gaza remains contingent upon the severe weakening of Hamas, a protracted process that could span several months, despite mounting global pressure to prolong negotiations for a pause in military actions.
Nimrod Novik, an Israel Policy Forum fellow, highlights the prevailing consensus across public, political, and security domains that the status quo of Hamas governing Gaza and threatening civilian lives cannot persist indefinitely.
Analysts point to multifaceted determinants shaping Israel's exit strategy from the conflict, factoring in military, domestic, and political considerations alongside public sentiment and the influence of US pressure.
The evolving narrative of the ongoing war, as analyzed by US News and World Report, underscores the complexities and interconnectedness of these factors in determining Israel's course of action.
The conflict's genesis traces back to October 7 when Hamas militants claimed the lives of 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, including foreign nationals, and launched an extensive barrage of rockets into Israel.
The resumption of hostilities by Israel, citing breaches in the truce by Hamas, has led to the latter holding additional hostages as a bargaining tool for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel's response has been marked by air strikes targeting Hamas military installations primarily situated within civilian-populated areas. Subsequent ground operations have been initiated to uncover tunnels, combatants, and the 240 hostages allegedly taken by Hamas to northern Gaza.
These operations, however, have resulted in significant destruction across wide swathes of northern Gaza, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
Jonathan Rynhold of Bar Ilan University underscores the Israeli Defense Forces' commitment to conduct operations with heightened caution, positioning it as a concerted effort to demonstrate adherence to rules of engagement in the face of President Joe Biden's demand for minimizing civilian casualties.
Biden's unwavering support for Israel's pursuit of Hamas and the release of hostages, while aligning with international rules of engagement, has elicited mixed responses. His stance has led to declining popularity among certain segments of the Democratic Party, according to polls.
The economic ramifications of the conflict continue to mount, with Israel's Finance Ministry estimating daily losses at $270 million, and credit ratings agency Standard and Poor's predicting a substantial 5 percent contraction in the Israeli economy for the final quarter of 2023.
(With Agency Inputs)
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