Donald Trump claims the Gaza conflict could reach a
“conclusive ending” within three weeks if he returns to office, amid ongoing
war and global concern.
As international indignation over the horrifying atrocities and daily massacres of civilians, the murders of journalists and medical personnel, and Israeli-induced hunger in the besieged and bombarded Palestinian enclave increases, U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an end to Israel's war on Gaza.
“I think within the next two to three weeks, you’re going to have pretty good, conclusive ending,”
Trump told reporters on Monday.
The US president has previously used his signature bombast to declare an end to the war, but neither a ceasefire nor even the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to a Palestinian population living under an oppressive Israeli embargo have resulted from his declarations.
In addition to rejecting international attempts to recognize a Palestinian state, the Trump administration has given Israel billions of dollars in armaments.
“It’s got to get over with because between the hunger and all of the other problems – worse than hunger, death, pure death – people [are] being killed,”
Trump said.
Trump proposed in February to expel all Palestinians from Gaza, which would be a crime against humanity and constitute racial cleansing.
The Israeli attack that murdered 21 Palestinians, including five journalists, at Nasser Hospital in Gaza earlier Monday seemed to go unnoticed by the US president.
“Well, I’m not happy about it. I don’t want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare.”
The topic of Trump's efforts to free the remaining Israeli prisoners in Gaza then came up.
How would a rapid "conclusive ending" affect Gaza's humanitarian crisis?
If a conclusion is reached quickly, it could bring to a stop
the estimated ongoing violence, reduce fatalities, and establish opportunities
for sustained humanitarian access. Access could be granted to enable timely
provision of crucial aid like food, water, medical supply, and fuel to a
growing civilian population experiencing the most significant hardship.
Ending the active conflict sooner could permit reconstruction to begin sooner, which is a multi-billion-dollar process of rebuilding the residences, infrastructure, and services, which suffered massive destruction in Gaza.
However, if that "conclusive end" requires a substantial military occupation or significant military action, it may displace, destroy, and create hardship in the immediate future and shorten the time frame in which those suffering can recover, while deepening the suffering itself.