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US patience with 'Israel' over Gaza is waning: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media + The Washington Post
6 Nov 2023 14:13

Israeli media reports indicate that "Israel" has a limited timeframe for its war on Gaza, as the US patience for the ground operation is diminishing.

Bombed-out buildings seen inside the Gaza Strip (AFP)

Israeli media reported that the United States may lose patience with the ground invasion of Gaza in a matter of weeks.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz acknowledged that "Israel's window of opportunity for fighting against Hamas is not infinite, and the flexibility that US President Joe Biden has is gradually decreasing."

The report also suggests that although Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has hinted at not seeking a full-scale war, there is potential for escalation on the northern front.

The train wreck is in Gaza, but the explosion is in the region: WashPo

A report by The Washington Post on Sunday highlighted the current challenges facing the Biden administration over the war on Gaza.

It says that the administration is finding itself in a complex situation as it tries to exert influence on "Israel's" ongoing aggression on Gaza, which many believe has been excessively severe, considering the high number of civilian casualties.

Despite being "Israel's" staunch ally, according to The Washington Post, the US has failed to persuade "Israel" to alter its course in the war and minimize civilian casualties, the report says. The Biden administration has attempted to advise against a ground invasion, called for 'proportionality' in Israeli attacks, advocated for minimizing civilian casualties, and urged humanitarian pauses.

Israeli officials have either dismissed or rejected these suggestions, complicating the US alleged efforts to reshape the situation.

The report claims that the Biden administration is concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, a densely populated region with over 2 million residents, half of whom are children.

While the US has been vocal about its distress at the suffering in Gaza, Arab leaders are not convinced by these assurances, adding uncertainty to the post-war West Asia landscape and the role of the US.

Some US officials, such as Senator Chris Murphy, argue that the administration should express its concerns more loudly about the civilian toll in the aggression, even as it supports "Israel's purported right to respond" to the October 7 resistance operation.

US concern over its proxy's strategies

The Washington Post says the US has been able to achieve modest successes in private discussions with "Israel", resulting in steps like restoring communication in Gaza, restoring water supply, and allowing a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza. During President Biden's call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they set a goal to allow 100 trucks a day to pass through Gaza's Rafah border crossing, which is now being implemented.

However, these so-called modest successes are overshadowed by the inability of the US to significantly influence "Israel's" ongoing aggression and the lack of clarity about the operation's goals.

There is growing unease within the administration about "Israel's" tactics, such as the repeated bombings of densely populated areas, including a refugee camp, and an airstrike near a hospital since an increase in civilian casualties would escalate the situation in the whole region and threaten US interests.

Egypt and Jordan fear that "Israel" may use the war as an opportunity to force Palestinians out of Gaza and into their territories, causing tensions between "Israel" and these nations.

Critics argue that the US has significant financial leverage over "Israel" and could exert more pressure if desired. The US is "Israel's" primary military supporter and the White House has sought an additional $14 billion in aid for "Israel". However, using such leverage, like conditioning military aid to make the campaign more targeted, faces political challenges, as it is a highly unpopular move. The Biden administration also has a personal attachment to "Israel", making it hesitant to use such leverage.

"They’re watching a train wreck, and they can’t do anything about it, and the trains are speeding up," a person familiar with the administration’s thinking told the WaPo. "The train wreck is in Gaza, but the explosion is in the region. They know that even if they were to do something, which is to condition aid to Israel, it won’t actually stop the Israelis from what they’re doing."

Ultimately, the US finds itself with limited influence over "Israel's" actions, which could have wide-ranging consequences for the global economy and the nation's diplomatic relationships in the region. The administration is concerned about growing violence in the occupied West Bank and is urging "Israel" to hold settlers accountable to prevent the struggle from spreading further, according to The Washington Post.

The situation remains complex, with the administration struggling to get coherent answers from Israeli officials, all while the crisis in Gaza and West Asia as a whole continues to unfold.