Biden could sink in Netanyahu 'survival plan': The Guardian

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
15 Dec 2023 16:49
2 Shares

A new analysis talks about the alleged gap between the US and 'Israel', questioning that while it is not unheard of for allies to diverge during war, will the two be able to maintain agreement on long-term war goals?

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks as he meets with US President Joe Biden, Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in 'Tel Aviv'. (AP)

When the Israeli occupation government contradicted US requests to end the war on the Gaza Strip, and a leaked US assessment revealed that "Israel" has been largely using unguided air-to-ground munitions, it became clear, according to a new analysis published by The Guardian, that the US was allegedly dealt a double blow by "Israel".

On the one hand, it is significant, the analysis noted, because Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Security Minister, made public statements, that were later reaffirmed by the Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about the predictions of the "months-long campaign".

On the other hand, the US has also made public statements that it was not concerned with violations of international humanitarian law regarding Israeli attacks on the Strip but the "dumb bombs" leak made that difficult for the US.

With the US having reaffirmed its support for the Israeli "right to self-defense," and conditioned the war on Gaza to have attainable goals, the Israeli claims and actions caused trouble for the US administration as it contradicted its preferred narrative.

Netanyahu 'taking Biden's guns, not his advice'

Even US President Joe Biden dubbed his commitment to "Israel" as "unshakeable," only to continue by saying "They have to be careful. The whole world’s public opinion can shift overnight. We can’t let that happen."

With "Israel" making it clear it would not stop until it achieved "complete victory", the alleged gap between the US and Israel became clear not only regarding methods but also goals given the developments of the war in the Strip.

According to the analysis, US President Joe Biden risks becoming part of Netanyahu's "survival plan," given that the latter has used the war on the Strip to also run his election campaign, claiming to have Israeli security as a priority.

In the US, the analysis noted, it is starting to look like Netanyahu is taking Biden's "guns, but not his advice."

The analysis questioned whether the US could contain Netanyahu and his government, given that the differences between the two countries have become public. However, the complication is grounded in whether the allies can do what is best and avoid complete disagreement over the long-term goals of the war, but does that stop the US from investing in alternative Israeli leaders given the "fallout"?

The analysis suggested the US might "try to reach some kind of understanding with Arab leaders that Netanyahu would be pressed to accept."

Nearly half of IOF munitions used on Gaza are unguided: US assessment

Since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, nearly half of the air-to-ground munitions used by "Israel" against the Strip are unguided, commonly referred to as "dumb bombs," CNN reported citing a new US intelligence assessment.

According to a recent intelligence assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, approximately 40-45% of the 29,000 air-to-ground munitions employed by "Israel" in Gaza fall into the category of unguided munitions, while the remainder are precision-guided.

Unguided munitions are generally less accurate and can pose a higher risk to civilians, particularly in densely populated areas like Gaza, the CNN report mentioned.

It is noteworthy that on Tuesday, Biden harshly criticized Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government over the "indiscriminate bombing" of Gaza.

The Financial Times reported that Biden has overtly and publically expressed concern that this was costing "Israel" its international support.

Since the war on Gaza started, Biden has offered muffled opinions on the strategies being utilized by "Israel" but simultaneously flooded the US lon-time ally with military aid and public support.