The World to Israel: After Gaza, what?

The growing number of deaths in Gaza, over 9,500 at last count, has understandably led to an international backlash. But Gaza's unfortunate residents are victims of military action that became inevitable given the remorseless logic created by the October 7 attacks by Hamas that killed some 1,400 Israelis. Given the magnitude of that move, Israel had no option but to attack Gaza with stated maximalist aims: the elimination of Hamas. Considering the militant organisation runs the densely populated territory - it's more Taliban than the Islamic State, in this respect - civilian casualties are sadly inevitable as Israel follows its goal of uprooting it. Here, it's important to realise that the laws of war do not prohibit killing non-combatants, though it does require militaries to take reasonable care. Last month, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire. India abstained. Despite considerable domestic criticism, it was the right call considering the resolution did not condemn Hamas or recognise Israel's right to self-defence.

But what the international community - most notably the US, but also India - must do is to urge Israel to observe some proportionality in its response and overall handling of the situation. One is to stop the seemingly unceasing attacks by settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank resulting in 132 deaths (including those attributed to soldiers). Second, the ongoing bombing and ground invasion of Gaza should not lead to a mass exodus of civilians resulting in the territory becoming a desolate wasteland. Some extremist elements in the Israeli establishment suggest that's indeed the endgame. If so, the international community must make it clear that's not a legitimate war-goal. Benjamin Netanyahu was right to reprimand heritage minister Amichai Eliyahu who claimed dropping an atomic bomb on Gaza was 'one of the possibilities'.

Israel also needs to be pressed to come up with its thoughts about a 'post-Hamas Gaza'. Possibilities include the stationing of a UN peacekeeping force, while an interim, non-Hamas administration rules Gaza, followed by elections at a later date.