Israel Netanyahu angers key US ally - The night at a glance
A new feud between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US government is complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, according to a media report. Netanyahu's video from Tuesday, in which he attacked the US government with harsh words over a withheld arms shipment, is causing a rift between the allies and undermining Israel's deterrent power in the region, the US news portal "Axios" reported, citing several US officials. Netanyahu's video was "astounding to say the least", "deeply disappointing" and "infuriating", said National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby on Thursday.
21.06.2024, 05:19
SDA
Netanyahu follows up
Israel's head of government followed up on Kirby's comments in the evening: "I am prepared to endure personal attacks as long as Israel receives the ammunition it needs from the USA in the war for its existence," Netanyahu said, according to his office. "There's nothing like telling Hezbollah that the US is withholding weapons from Israel, which is wrong, to make it feel emboldened," Axios quoted a senior US official as saying. The previous evening, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had emphasized his Shiite militia's readiness to fight: "If they (the Israelis) force a war on Lebanon, the resistance will fight back without restrictions, rules or limits". At the same time, the Secretary General of the militia emphasized that Lebanon is not seeking a large-scale war with Israel.
Israel and Hezbollah have been firing at each other constantly for more than eight months. The intensity of the fighting has recently increased significantly. It is feared that an open war between the two sides could escalate into a regional conflict in which the USA, Israel's most important ally, would also be drawn into. There have already been serious disagreements between Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu and the administration of US President Joe Biden in recent months. Biden and other high-ranking US government representatives have repeatedly made it unusually clear that they do not agree with Netanyahu's actions in the Gaza war. There is particular criticism of the high number of civilian casualties and the humanitarian need in the sealed-off area.
Blinken emphasizes US commitment to Israel's security
The fact that Netanyahu has now harshly attacked the US government over a withheld arms shipment is further fueling tensions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had already firmly rejected Netanyahu's criticism and emphasized that there was only one paused delivery from the USA to Israel. This concerns the delivery of certain bombs, which has been held up for the time being because the US government is concerned that they could be used in a densely populated area such as Rafah in southern Gaza.
Despite the disagreement, Blinken met with Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Secretary of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer in Washington on Thursday, according to a US State Department spokesman. Blinken reaffirmed the unconditional commitment of the USA to Israel's security, according to the statement. At the same time, he emphasized the need to take further steps to increase humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and to draw up plans for the future administration and reconstruction of the area after the war. It was also important to avoid further escalation in Lebanon and to find a diplomatic solution.
Netanyahu also under increasing pressure at home
Earlier, Israel's army spokesman Daniel Hagari had also emphatically called for a political vision for the future of the Gaza Strip. "Hamas is an idea, it is a party. It is rooted in the hearts of the people. Anyone who thinks we can eliminate Hamas is mistaken," Hagari told the Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 on Wednesday evening, adding that an alternative for Hamas must be found on a political level in order to replace it in the Gaza Strip. Otherwise, the Islamist terrorist organization would continue to exist. Talking about the destruction of Hamas was misleading the public, he said.
Hagari's statements cast doubt on the declared war aim of Netanyahu's government: to end Hamas' rule in the Gaza Strip and destroy its military capabilities. The Prime Minister's Office rejected the army spokesman's statements. The army is "naturally committed to this", it said in a statement. Meanwhile, thousands of people once again took to the streets in Israel on Thursday evening in protest against Netanyahu's government. According to Israeli media, the largest rally took place in front of a private house belonging to Netanyahu in the city of Caesarea.
Renewed protests against Israel's government
The demonstrators again demanded new elections and the release of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. According to media reports, hundreds of people also gathered for a rally in Jerusalem. For months, there have been repeated sharp protests against the government in Israel. The demonstrators accuse Netanyahu of bowing to the demands of his extremist coalition partners and therefore also obstructing a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas. Some ministers are against an agreement with the Islamists as it would also include a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Efforts have been underway for months by mediators from the USA, Qatar and Egypt to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire and Hamas to release the 120 or so people who have been abducted from Israel - so far without success. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the number of abductees still alive could be as low as 50.
US jetty on Gaza beach back in operation
Meanwhile, after a break of several days, the temporary pier set up by the US military off the coast of the Gaza Strip is back in operation. The responsible regional command (Centcom) anchored the pier on the beach again on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said on Thursday. The transfer of relief supplies from Cyprus had been resumed. At the end of last week, the US military announced that the pier had to be temporarily towed to Israel's coast due to rough seas. The distribution of aid also proved to be difficult. Ryder emphasized that there was no end date for the project.
