Middle East latest: Israel says it will maintain control of Gaza-Egypt crossing
Associated PressFEB 3
Israeli Forces Advance in Rafah
Above: Palestinians migrate to safer areas as Israel forces as Israeli forces advance in Rafah, Gaza on March 31, 2025. Image copyright: Abed Rahim Khatib/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The return to war will not save the hostages. Netanyahu is playing with fire as he divides Israel by moving to sack Ronen Bar and resuming the war in Gaza to buy time. Both sides need to make concessions so that the cease-fire can be fully implemented and the hostages returned.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Everything Israel is doing in Gaza is to secure the release of Israeli hostages and ensure the security of Israeli civilians. Hamas is a terrorist organization that uses Palestinian civilians — including medical workers — as human shields. Reports that Israel seeks to occupy Gaza or randomly kills Palestinians are pro-Hamas propaganda designed to undermine Israel's struggle against a terrorist group that butchered over a thousand people in one day.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza has lasted for over 16 months, with little more than a muted response from Western countries to the brutal killing of medical workers. Israel has demonstrated throughout this war that its desire is to make Gaza unlivable and kill as many Palestinians as possible. Indeed, the media's silence regarding these brutal actions only show how involved the West is in this genocide.