‘Bloodshed Cannot Continue’: Piers Morgan Questions Israel’s Post-Ceasefire Intentions

Morgan questioned Israel’s ongoing strategy for Gaza, as the temporary ceasefire nears its end. (Press Association via AP Images)

TalkTV host Piers Morgan published a bold call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make clear his plans for Gaza when the current temporary ceasefire comes to an end.

In a critical examination of Israel’s current military campaign, writing on TalkTV’s website, Morgan said that “the bloodshed cannot continue without proof Israel has a plan beyond the total destruction of Gaza.”

Before questioning the success of Israel’s campaign, Morgan illustrated the ceasefire’s immediate impact: “50 Israeli hostages are finally being released by Hamas,” contrasting with “150 Palestinian prisoners” moving in the opposite direction, alongside vital aid. He underscores the human cost, describing the ceasefire as “the end of an unbearable, agonising wait” for many families.

As for where the conflict now stands, Hamas’ leadership, he said, is still in charge of Gaza and negotiating a hostage exchange. As for the Hamas dead: “Israel claims that figure includes thousands of terrorists. But where is the evidence to support that claim? Where is the evidence that the terrorists have not simply gone underground — or hidden themselves among innocent civilians?”

“Where is the plan for the future of Gaza?” he continued, highlighting the ambiguity in Israel’s strategy post-ceasefire. “Netanyahu has ruled out a return for the Palestinian Authority, and hinted that Israeli occupation might be the answer. This is dangerous territory for Israel. It has a rapidly-narrowing window of legitimacy in Gaza.”

Morgan then returned to his commentary of Israel’s 2014 ground invasion of Gaza, which was recently dredged up by former guest Mohammed Hijab. At that time he’d asked “at what point does Israel’s current military strategy become the very terrorism it professes to be fighting?”

Concluding his TalkTV piece, Monday, Morgan wrote: “I haven’t changed my position at all. Israel committed atrocities in 2014. It began to look more like revenge than a military strategy and President Obama told them to call it off. This ceasefire is a big moment to ask the big questions about this war. And I’m asking myself that exact same question now.”