Blinken urges Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
17 Oct 2023 09:55

Axios reported that Blinken is urging Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza in order to gain international support for a potential ground invasion.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu make statements to the media inside The Kirya, "Tel Aviv" Thursday, October 12, 2023 (AP)

A report by Axios, citing Israeli officials, reveals that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza for the sake of garnering international support for the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

"The Biden administration understands the need to dismantle Hamas and stresses that one of the ways to make sure there is enough time to do it is by avoiding a humanitarian crisis in Gaza," a senior Israeli official told Axios.

"Israel" has enforced a total blockade on Gaza as it carries an intensive bombing campaign that has largely targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure: not allowing humanitarian aid.

According to the report, the Israeli rationale is that exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza puts pressure on the Palestinian resistance to release the Israelis being held captive.

However, the report notes that such a move by Netanyahu would have a divisive effect on his coalition, which is largely constituted by extremists.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that the Biden administration is worried that "Israel" is shortsightedly fixated on invading Gaza and has no robust plan that would grant it a sustainable solution.

Bloomberg reported that insiders familiar with the #Biden administration's position indicate that the White House is worried about "Israel's" lack of a post-invasion strategy for #Gaza.#Palestine pic.twitter.com/Wpse5WFuA5
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 15, 2023

While the US has pledged unconditional support for "Israel" in its aggression against Gaza, it is concerned about the possible repercussions of the ground invasion, the report explains, listing a set of concerns:

The conflict could snowball into a regional war that would involve other parties, such as the Lebanese Resistance: Hezbollah.
The humanitarian toll on Palestinian civilians could subject "Israel" and the US to increased international pressure.
Exacerbation of the struggle and increased Palestinian casualties could place normalization deals with Arab governments at risk.
The fate of the captives, which "Israel" seems to have decided to sacrifice as "collateral damage" in its war against Gaza.
"Israel" has no prospective plan for Gaza beyond their determination to destroy Hamas.