Israelis on self-destruction path amid war on Gaza: American Prospect
5 Min Read
According to Ryan Cooper from The American Prospect, the war on Gaza is alienating Israeli allies, dragging the US into a regional conflict, and driving "Israel" further into self-destruction.
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A man burns Israeli flags during the observance of a global day of boycotts and strikes called for by pro-Palestine activists to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, at Bourj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
According to Ryan Cooper from The American Prospect, the dire situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly desperate due to the intense bombardment of Israeli occupation forces (IOF). Cooper argues that the war on Gaza is presenting an existential problem for the Israelis since they are not only dragging themselves into regional conflicts but alienating their allies since the whole world is watching them ethnically cleanse Gaza.
As of Monday, the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Strip has persisted for 66 days, resulting in the deaths of approximately 18,000, 70% of whom are women and children.
Cooper notes that the major risk is firstly a regional conflict since American and European officials have reportedly told the HuffPost that the Israelis are considering using US aid to attack Lebanon and "push Hezbollah far from the Israeli border."
Not only is the IOF actively involved in bombing south Lebanon, but they have also escalated attacks on Syria's international airports in Damascus and Aleppo. Israelis also launched attacks on several areas in southern Syria.
In addition, Yemen has recently decided to prohibit any ship from reaching Israeli ports via the Arabian and Red seas if Gaza's needs for food and medicine are not met.
Israeli occupation Navy Commander Eliezer Marom stressed on Sunday that the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement must not be underestimated, calling for them to be dealt with seriously, Israeli Channel 12 reported on Sunday.
Marom revealed that he had said that before "to those who should hear it within the military establishment" and the Yemenis "must not be underestimated. We are familiar with them."
"Israel" alienating its allies everywhere
The author also adds that the ongoing aggression could "alienate its allies," particularly in the US, where an increasing number of citizens are in support of a ceasefire and the administration has struggled to keep the IOF in line with their public facade of protecting civilians.
Human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for a war crime investigation into the Israeli strike on journalists in Lebanon, which resulted in the killing of Reuters photographer Issam Abdallah and injuries to six others on October 13.
In late November, an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon led to the martyrdom of Al Mayadeen's reporter Farah Omar and cameraman Rabih Me'mari, along with freelancer Hussein Akil. Targeting journalists and civilians has become a standard within the doctrine of the Israeli occupation forces.
Journalists martyred due to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has risen to 67.
A recent Haaretz investigation indicated that the ratio of civilian deaths in previous Israeli bombings of Gaza from 2012 to 2022 was 40%.
In comparison, in the current bombardment which began on October 7, civilian deaths rose to 61% in what Haaretz described as “unprecedented killing”.
The report backs up earlier investigations by other Israeli news outlets, +972 Magazine and Local Call, which concluded that "Israel" was intentionally targeting residential buildings in the hope that Gazans would turn on Palestinian Resistance factions.
Last week, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby dared to claim that the US is doing more than "any other nation" to aid civilians in Gaza, adding that they have pressured "Israel" to be "cautious" in how it bombs Gaza.
Coming under extreme pressure from Americans and the world, the US finally decided to enforce visa bans within the next few weeks on Israeli extremist settlers involved in violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu destroys US reputation for political agenda
One State Department official told the HuffPost that Americans should be enraged at how “Netanyahu has put our reputation on fire to advance his political agenda,” adding that the repercussions on American security are "Extremely consequential."
It should be noted that this reputation has never been the cleanest. Yet with all the wars and invasions the US has previously waged, the US Department of Defense has stated that the rate of attacks against the US military in Iraq and Syria has increased by 45% in the last three weeks by resistance factions.
Cooper adds that the increased risk for "Israle" finally involves creating a new generation of freedom fighters. Children who grow up in Gaza among the ruins and memories of their dismembered relatives will surely seek revenge in the future.
Gideon Levy at Haaretz writes that. “An unbridled and cruel attack against Gaza" fosters an unprecedented hatred for the occupation in the West Bank, the Palestinian diaspora, the Arab world, and beyond. He adds, "What’s even more terrible is this hatred will be justified.”
Cooper concludes by wondering why "Israel" is engaging in this war on Gaza at all, All this raises the question of just why the Israeli government is doing this.
He wonders whether the sole benefitors are members of the Israeli "government" particularly Netanyahu, who is currently blamed for "enabling" the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, facing criminal charges, and a crushed popularity.
"The moment the war is over, his political career is almost certainly over as well."
