The desolate situation of the Palestinians outrages the world. The USA has been urging Israel to moderate for months – now they are setting a deadline. Israel still gets missiles to protect against Iran.
In view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the US government is increasing the pressure on its ally Israel: If the situation for the people in the sealed-off coastal strip does not improve noticeably within 30 days, there is a risk of a violation of US laws on military support, it was said it from Washington. This could also jeopardize American military aid to Israel. The latest images of an attack by Israeli forces on a hospital compound in the Gaza Strip are “horrific,” said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
The US State Department confirmed media reports of a letter in which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed “deep concern” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for “urgent and sustained action” from the Israeli government. It was initially unclear what specific consequences the US government could draw if Israel did not comply with the request. It’s not “about any threats,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, but about “results” for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
Around a year after the start of the Gaza war, the humanitarian situation in the region is disastrous. According to Palestinian information, over 42,000 people have died so far and the majority of the population is on the run. The infrastructure has been largely destroyed and there is a lack of food and medicine. The Gaza War was triggered by the unprecedented attack by the Islamist Hamas and its allies on the south of Israel on October 7th of the previous year. Members of the terrorist militias and other gunmen killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped around 250 more as hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Washington’s double strategy before the election: support and warning
In view of the global outrage over the deplorable conditions in the Gaza Strip, the US government is now attempting a difficult balancing act: On the one hand, Washington repeatedly emphasizes its security policy commitment and Israel’s right to self-defense. Israel receives extensive military and intelligence support. On the other hand, the US government is under domestic political pressure. Opponents of the war sharply criticize Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and are calling for a stop to US arms deliveries to the country. The debate over the US’s course towards Israel is also gaining importance ahead of the presidential election on November 5th. The deadline set by Blinken and Austin in their letter is after Election Day.
US government criticizes Israeli attacks in Beirut
The US government also criticized the Israeli military’s recent attacks on the Lebanese capital Beirut in an unusually clear manner. “We have told Israel unequivocally that we reject their almost daily attacks in densely populated areas in Beirut,” Security Council spokesman Kirby said. Although Israel has the right to carry out “targeted operations” against the infrastructure of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia, it must also ensure that the lives of civilians, UN peacekeepers and Lebanese armed forces are not endangered – as has already happened.
US missile defense system in Israel soon ready for use
Despite harsh criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the United States continues to provide military support to its ally Israel. The USA began stationing a battery of the THAAD missile defense system in Israel. The “Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense” is one of the most modern missile defense systems in the world. With the deployment, Washington is reacting to the latest missile attacks from Iran.
Israeli opposition leader supports attack on Iran’s oil fields
In the debate about a possible retaliatory strike against Iran, Israeli opposition leader Jair Lapid advocates targeting the country’s oil fields in the planned attack. “We should start with the oil fields,” he told the Jerusalem Post. He justified his demand by saying that this would harm the economy of the Islamic Republic. It was recently announced that if Israel were to strike against Iran, it would concentrate on military facilities and spare nuclear and oil facilities. Two weeks ago, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired around 200 ballistic missiles at the Jewish state. Israel then announced retaliation. Analysts say an attack on oil facilities could drive up energy prices.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
