Israel must wrap up its war against Hamas by the end of this year or risk losing Washington’s support for its offensive in Gaza, The Economist has reported, citing sources with knowledge of diplomatic discussions between the two allies.

International condemnation of Israel’s military operation in the densely populated enclave has steadily grown over the past nine weeks.

Several world leaders have echoed concerns from aid groups about a worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged area, as Israel’s bombardment following Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack intensified.

But signs are appearing that Washington’s patience for the offensive is wearing thin, as Palestinian health officials say the death toll in Gaza has crossed the 18,000 people, most of whom were civilians, according to a report by The Economist on Sunday.

Citing anonymous sources, the outlet reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a behind-closed-doors warning during a recent trip to Israel: Finish up by the end of the year, or US support may erode.

Publicly, neither government has referenced any sort of deadline for a conclusion to the military offensive.

read more: https://www.palestinechronicle.com/washington-to-tel-aviv-end-war-by-end-of-year-the-economist/

economist article in question: https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/12/10/israel-has-just-a-few-weeks-left-to-destroy-hamas

IT HAS BEEN nine weeks since Israel began bombarding the Gaza Strip and six since it sent in ground forces. Some 18,000 Gazans, mostly civilians, have died. But Israel has so far failed to achieve its main objective of destroying the military capabilities of Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules Gaza and, in a terrorist attack on October 7th, murdered 1,200 Israelis and took 240 people hostage. It increasingly looks as though the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have just weeks to finish the job before America, Israel’s vital ally, withdraws support for the offensive. Success looks unlikely.

archive link of rest of the economist article: https://archive.ph/egQWv