On his fourth visit to Israel this week since its war with Hamas started, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a message of strong support for the country, but also some criticism. He arrived in Israel yesterday having already been to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Turkey and Greece. Next on his agenda are visits to the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. Blinken’s Middle Eastern tour aims to create a more peaceful and stable region to enhance Israeli security – a particularly monumental task.

The Biden administration wants to prevent the war between Israel and Hamas from expanding onto new fronts. They have been anxiously following developments on the border with Lebanon. Exchange of fire between both sides, initiated by the Iran-backed militant organisation Hezbollah at the start of the war, have intensified dramatically following Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut on 2 January and the killing of three Hezbollah commanders in the past two days.

The US worries that a full-scale war with Hezbollah would involve Iran and trigger a domino effect

Although Hezbollah would like to avoid an escalation into a full blown war with Israel, it is essential for Israeli security that the heavily armed group moves away from the border and keeps at a safe distance. This is understandable given Hezbollah has repeatedly vowed to annihilate Israel. Yesterday, Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant told Blinken that the country prefers a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah, but that if one cannot be achieved, Israel is already preparing a military alternative.

The US administration understands Israel’s concern with Hezbollah, but worries that a full-scale war with the group would involve Iran and trigger a domino effect that would suck in other regional powers. In an effort to avoid this, the US, France and several Arab nations have engaged in talks to move Hezbollah further away from the border.

QOSHE - America’s support for Israel has strings attached - Limor Simhony Philpott
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America’s support for Israel has strings attached

4 1
10.01.2024

On his fourth visit to Israel this week since its war with Hamas started, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a message of strong support for the country, but also some criticism. He arrived in Israel yesterday having already been to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Turkey and Greece. Next on his agenda are visits to the Palestinian Authority and Egypt. Blinken’s Middle Eastern tour aims to create a more peaceful and stable region to enhance Israeli security – a particularly........

© The Spectator


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