West should restrain Netanyahu's 'spiralling offensive': FT
According to an opinion piece in the Financial Times, the Biden administration is not using all its means to halt the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and Gaza.
After the martyrdom of Hamas chiefs Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu should have taken the opportunity to declare his alleged victory and reach a captive agreement and ceasefire in Gaza, an opinion report in the Financial Times suggested.
Instead, the Israeli Prime Minister has been unrelenting, worsening the crisis for Palestinians trapped in the strip, killing 42,924 and injuring 100,833 Palestinians.
Thousands have been displaced from their homes and the US has even warned it would suspend arms sales unless "Israel" actively allowed the flow of aid.
In addition, "Israel" continues its aggression in Lebanon, where it has failed incredibly at its attempted invasion, and launched an attack against Iran last night.
The FT notes that the Israeli occupation entity seems "locked in endless wars on multiple fronts."
Rather than influence the Israeli cabinet to cease this aggression, the Biden administration appears to be following Netanyahu's lead by calling for a truce in Lebanon one minute, then endorsing "Israel's" attempts at diminishing Hezbollah's power.
The FT pointed out that none of this promotes Middle Eastern stability or "Israel's" alleged long-term security interests. Although Hamas and Hizbollah can be severely harmed, they will not vanish.
As cycles of Israeli aggression produce new generations of fighters, it is obvious that when one leader dies, another takes over.
Even when a group's capabilities are depleted it resorts to guerilla tactics. "Israel's" previous ventures into Lebanon are filled with examples of occupying troops being mired down by resistance.
The publication emphasizes that Joe Biden should break the cycle of murder and devastation as the prospect of a full-fledged war in the region looms by the day. "It is in the West’s — and the region’s — interest to pressure Netanyahu to take the diplomatic off-ramps that are available."
An all-out war means US troops may have to engage in battle with Iran and its allies, jeopardy of the Gulf's oil infrastructure, more disruption to critical trade routes, and further instability in the region.
According to FT, "Biden has the tools to rein in Netanyahu" and should use them before the West remains haunted by his reckless actions.
Netanyahu's aggressive tactics could blow up 'Israel': The Guardian
A piece published by The Guardian on Tuesday suggests that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not looking for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, arguing against claims that the martyrdom of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar would pave the way for a ceasefire.
The report rather describes Netanyahu as a "reckless aggressor, wielding the power of US and UK-supplied weaponry," reveling in the chaos and destruction.
According to the piece, written by Simon Tisdall, The Observer's foreign affairs commentator, while Netanyahu, his allies, and a faction of Israeli settlers believe they are emerging victorious in the ongoing war, the reality is that these actions are likely to have serious repercussions. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of Netanyahu's escalating focus on Iran as his next target.
Netanyahu is bloodthirsty
Netanyahu is striving for maximum strength, reach, and leverage, partially to safeguard his political future, the report states. It notes that "Israel" has intensified its aggressive attacks against northern Gaza, despite Hamas being allegedly decapitated and reduced to sporadic acts of resistance.
The piece suggests that Netanyahu is willing to absorb the international backlash resulting from high civilian casualties in devastated areas like Jabalia. The reason for this, Tisdall argues, is that he lacks a coherent plan for the "day after" in Gaza. Instead, he is focused on maximizing Israeli control and securing his position before the moment arrives when he decides to end the war.
According to Haaretz, Netanyahu has dismissed advice from Israeli military leaders and US officials to use Sinwar's martyrdom as leverage for a captive deal. A senior Israeli hostage negotiator noted that the situation remains unchanged, "To a large extent, we’re in the same situation. The assassination didn’t create flexibility. The goals of the war haven’t changed with regard to ending Hamas’s rule. Consequently, the orders given to the defense establishment also haven’t changed."
Demonstrating his disregard for peacemakers, Netanyahu has escalated his aggression to the UN on both political and military fronts, as stated by The Guardian. Last month, he gave a confrontational and offensive speech at the General Assembly, while also launching attacks on UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. These assaults have led to injuries among peacekeepers and have also affected Lebanon’s army.
In a related context, The Guardian reported on Amos Hochstein's arrival in Beirut on Monday as the US peace envoy tasked with mediating a ceasefire based on UN Security Council resolution 1701.
However, his proposal included an Israeli demand for the right to re-intervene militarily, both on the ground and in the air, whenever it "feels threatened." This demand was rejected, as it undermines Lebanon's sovereignty. That said, such a demand only reflects the Israeli leadership's approach, the report suggests.