Alistair Bunkall: Sky News Middle East correspondent explains why international opinion of Israel has shifted

There's a shifting international view of Israel as its war on Gaza shows little sign of relenting. 

After global pressure, including from the US, Israel has relented on a months-long blockade and let in limited aid - but none's been distributed so far. 

It's also continued firing on Gaza, where more than 53,000 people have died to date. 

Sky News' Alistair Bunkall says there's a strong sense - even among Isarelis - that the country has taken this too far. 

"There is a political dynamic to it for Netanyahu's own political reasons - and they are opposed to it and the damage that it's doing on their nation's reputation internationally."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Look, it's unclear if AID is reaching the starving people
of Gaza. Only five trucks have been lit in following
international pressure, but soldiers are holding up the distribution of
the food. Israeli soldiers, obviously. Our foreign Minister Winston Peters
is amongst twenty four foreign ministers and leaders now reaching
the end of their patients with Israel. Alistair Buncle is
Sky News's Middle East correspondent based out of Jerusalem. Alista, Hello,

(00:22):
good afternoon, Heather. Is the food getting to people?

Speaker 2 (00:27):
No, In a simple word, it's not. Israel started allowing
AID trucks in about thirty six hours ago, and some
have gone in. It slightly confusing exactly how many, but
possibly even as much as ninety trucks have managed to
enter Gaza. But the UN and I haven't had an
update this morning. It's the morning time here in Jerusalem.

(00:48):
Haven't had an update this morning, but the UN says
that none of it's yet reached Gazans. Now, that'd be
a multitude of factors, but mainly because the fighting is
ongoing and the AID trucks need to be given safe passage.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
Is the pressure that is mounting on Israel enough to
force it to actually in this humanitarian crisis and get
the food to the people.

Speaker 2 (01:12):
It's a really good question. I mean, certainly pressure has
forced Israel to end its siege of Gaza or be it,
you know, as we've just discussed, you know, in a
very limited way. But pressure has forced Israel to allow
some aid back into Grza. That's that's for sure. And
I think that's many pressure from the Americans. Will pressure
from you know, foreign minister statements like that of your country,

(01:36):
the United Kingdom where I'm originally from, France, etcetera. Will
that make a difference. Will will the statements by Kissed
Armor and Emmanuel Macrol? Yes, they make a difference. I'm
not convinced. I still retain the belief that the only
person who really has genuine leverage and influence over over
Benny Menesnia, who is Donald Trump. And at the moment, well,

(01:59):
at least in public, and there's some suggestions and in
private they've become very frustrated with the Israeli government, But
at the moment, in public, the White House is not
prepared to change its course.

Speaker 1 (02:09):
Surely this has reached the point where with this cannot continue,
elis I mean, surely this is too far, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (02:16):
Well. I think a lot of people probably think we
you know, the war reached that point quite a long
time ago. Certainly, the renewed defensive and the escalated offensive
that the Israelis are now conducting, coupled with the fact
that Gars has been under siege for not far off
three months now, has changed opinions in the international political

(02:41):
and diplomatic world quite considerably. Now. You know, we'll see
whether people follow through on threats. We'll see whether or
not the EU in Britain and others do take out
sanctions against Israel, because that would be the next stage.
But yeah, I think there is a feeling that Israel
has gone too far this time. And what I should
say is someone who has lived and reported on the
region for the last four years or so, I've noticed

(03:04):
that change in Israel as well. There are many Israelis,
probably the majority of Israelis if I'm guessing, who think
that this is the wrong course of action right now,
is not the best way to get their hostages out.
There is a political dynamic to it, for for Nettiyahu's
own political reasons, and they are opposed to it and

(03:25):
the damage that it's doing on their nation's reputation internationally.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
All right, Alistair, thanks very much. He is hoping for
a resolution. It's Alista Bunkle, Middle East correspondent for Sky News.
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