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

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Washington Post
5 Nov 2023 23:53

WashPo says Israeli officials have either dismissed or rejected US suggestions, complicating the US's efforts to reshape the situation.

$Anti-war activists wave their flags as they protest outside of T\the White House during a pro-Palestinian demonstration asking for a cease fire in Gaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)$
Anti-war activists wave their flags as they protest outside of the White House during a pro-Palestinian demonstration asking for a cease-fire in Gaza in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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 military war 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 conflict 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's efforts to reshape the situation.

The report says 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 Middle East 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 conflict, even as it supports "Israel's" purported right to respond to the October 7 resistance operation.

The WashPo 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 conflict 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 WashPo. "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 extremist Jewish settlers accountable to prevent the conflict from spreading further, according to WashPo.

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

The US is lying

The reality is that the US is lying and has immense leverage over "Israel," and this was best exemplified by a controversial statement issued earlier today by an Israeli Minister.

In an attempt to alter the fact that the US is not a party in the ongoing aggression against Gaza, the US claims it has limited influence over Israelis.

Netanyahu, who is currently focused on his survival to remain in office, was forced to suspend one of his party members after the latter, named Amihai Eliyahu, suggested that the Gaza Strip be nuked.

Israeli Channel 12, citing political sources, reported that "statements issued by Israeli 'Heritage' Minister Amihai Eliyahu have caused tremendous damage to "Israel's" reputation globally, especially among partner countries" that are trying to aid the regime.

Were it not for the fear of being reprimanded by the US, Netanyahu would have not suspended his minister.

Other signs that have indicated the US is complicit in the aggression was the suggestion made by US officials to the IOF that the Israeli army uses 'smaller bombs' to reduce the increasingly morbid number of killed civilians.

US military officials reportedly advised the Israelis to use small bombs, which they assess to be more suitable for the dense urban environments of Gaza, instead of the larger bombs that they are currently using (which have been reportedly stockpiled over the years to be used against fortified Hezbollah military positions in Lebanon).

An official told NYT that the United States has also increased its intelligence-gathering efforts in Gaza, utilizing drones to search allegedly for captives held by the resistance, redirecting military satellites to monitor the region, and deploying aircraft from two carriers in the Mediterranean to collect additional intelligence, including electronic intercepts.

The official stressed that while the US is extensively sharing intelligence with the IOF, they are not helping them pick out targets for the strikes.

The US has been attempting to pose as a non-party in this aggression on Gaza, but such operations are a direct participation in the ongoing war.