The assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was a significant success for Israel, but the country’s strategic ambitions go far beyond military victories, according to sources familiar with the matter. Israel seeks to reshape the regional landscape in its favor and protect its borders from future threats.
Reuters reports this.
With the US elections approaching, Israeli authorities are accelerating attacks against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon to inflict maximum damage on these groups before the arrival of a new US president. Sources say Netanyahu is seeking to create a new reality that will be irreversible until January, when American leadership can change. Israel also wants to prevent its enemies from regrouping and the rise of Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah.
Sources say Joe Biden could try to use the removal of Sinwar as leverage to pressure Netanyahu to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip. However, the Israeli prime minister may prefer to wait until the end of Biden’s presidential term, hoping that a person he finds easier to interact with will become the new president. In particular, the possible victory of Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, with whom Netanyahu has had close ties in the past, is mentioned.
Israel is stepping up efforts on several fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon, to secure its northern and southern borders. In Lebanon, Israel is taking steps to push Hezbollah within 30 kilometers of its border and disarm it, in line with a long-standing UN resolution that Israeli sources say has not been implemented. Israeli forces also continued their offensive against the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, raising concerns among Palestinians and international organizations who fear Israeli attempts to divide the enclave.
At the same time, Israel is preparing a response to recent attacks by Iran, which is causing concern in the Middle East, as there is a risk of an escalation of the conflict, which could affect global oil markets. US officials support Israel’s actions against terrorist groups, but Washington expresses concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and insists on finding ways to achieve a ceasefire.
According to some diplomats, Netanyahu could view further steps through the prism of influencing the US elections, believing that prolonging the conflict could damage the reputation of the current administration. At the same time, it seeks to consolidate the new status quo on its borders, creating conditions for its long-term security.
Previously, Cursor reported that Iran was threatening Biden in response to threats of an IDF attack.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry decided to respond harshly to Biden over reports of a threatened attack.
