Raise your hand if you didn't see this coming. The Biden administration's latest attempt to stab Israel in the back without looking like they were holding the knife took the form of a UN resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza that they initially endorsed and then voted "present" on, allowing it to pass. The resolution is unenforceable and Israel was going to ignore it anyway, but now they don't have to. Hamas came out yesterday and unilaterally rejected the proposal, saying that it "ignores their core demands," which were insane anyway. With that complication conveniently removed from the table, Israel is free to move forward with clearing Hamas out of Rafah. But the damage to the relationship between the United States and Israel is already done. Bibi Netanyahu has canceled a diplomatic delegation's visit to Washington and publicly condemned the United States for not vetoing the UN resolution. (San Francisco Gate) 

Israel's prime minister says they will not accept Hamas’ demands for a cease-fire after the militant group rejected the latest proposal for a truce. Hamas rejected the latest cease-fire proposal late Monday with a statement accusing Israel of ignoring its core demands, which include an end to the war and a full withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not give in to Hamas’ “delusional” demands and continue to work to destroy the militant group’s military and governing capabilities, as well as seek the release of the remaining hostages. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Israeli Army Radio on Tuesday that the United Nations Security Council's approved resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire and the release of all hostages held in Gaza emboldened Hamas to reject the proposed deal. He also criticized the United States, Israel’s top ally, for not vetoing the resolution over its lack of a condemnation of Hamas and its Oct. 7 attack.

The "core demands" of Hamas were not met because they were impossible. What they're really demanding is that Israel surrender to Hamas and permanently leave Gaza. There was also no mention of releasing all of the hostages. Why would Hamas be sticking to that position? I've long argued that the hostages are the last insurance policy that Hamas has, so they are unlikely to release them all. But one of the people I follow on Twitter suggested a darker explanation this morning:

Anyone thinking they can't return the hostages because the hostages are dead? https://t.co/ulZxRBQE0C

— NiedermeyersDeadHorse aka NDH (@NiedsG) March 26, 2024

Hamas initially released some hostages to buy themselves some time, but that level of cooperation quickly came to an end. We know that some of the hostages are dead, but it's clearly possible that they may have all been killed and the terrorists are trying to cover up that reality to slow Israel down. And even if they're not already dead, Hamas would probably rather kill them than allow them to escape to freedom and tell the world what they have been put through. That would only solidify global opinions about Hamas and provide additional justification for utterly destroying them.

The second biggest loser in this affair has to be the White House. Biden's efforts to have his cake and eat it too are backfiring in a spectacular fashion. He has managed to earn the anger of one of our closest allies in an effort to pacify his pro-Hamas liberal base. But that has failed as well since he isn't fully rejecting Israel's position and working to force them to exit Gaza permanently. In that sense, Biden has managed to damage America's foreign policy standing yet again without shoring up his support at home.

Fortunately, the damage to the Israeli-American alliance doesn't need to be permanent. Both countries need each other and American presidents come and go on a regular basis. As soon as Biden is gone (and that day can't come soon enough), if he is replaced by someone who will strongly stand with Israel, things can return to normal. The damage to Joe Biden's political fortunes may prove to be far more permanent, however. History will not look kindly upon this episode and America's current handling of the situation in the Middle East.