Netanyahu prepares to expand war in the Middle East

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalated the local war with Hamas and the Palestinian people into a regional conflict with Iran and other Middle Eastern powers. Now, the far-right and fundamentalist coalition, led by the prime minister, is beginning military and diplomatic preparations for a large-scale offensive in the region.

“We are in the midst of the war in Gaza, which continues in full force even as we continue our tireless efforts to return our hostages. However, we are also prepared for scenarios that involve challenges in other sectors,” said Netanyahu, signaling preparation.

Israel is “on alert and highly prepared for various scenarios, and we are constantly assessing the situation,” IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a press conference.

Last Sunday, the Israeli army withdrew invading troops from the city of Khan Younis, in the center of the Gaza Strip. The far right and the ultra-Orthodox accused Netanyahu of giving in to pressure on the government to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

In response to pressure from the most radical wing of the government, an air strike coordinated by the Israeli Armed Forces and security agency killed this Wednesday (10) three children and four grandchildren of the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh.

Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant leaked to the local press, through the Walla news agency, that the execution of the bombing was not notified to the government leadership in advance.

Netanyahu’s communication maneuver comes after the United States, cynically, changed its stance on the conflict due to internal electoral pressure and began a rhetorical offensive against the far-right government.

Khan Younis’ move to withdraw Israeli troops, however, is also seen as an operational reorganization of the armed forces for what may lie ahead, as Tel Aviv awaits Iranian revenge for the death of the senior commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. , Mohammad Reza Zahedi.

Since then, Western powers in conjunction with Israel have organized themselves with the diplomatic corps of their respective countries, in a move to dissuade Tehran from revenge.

“Our strategic relationship with the US military is strong and close,” the IDF spokesperson told the press. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear proof of Iranian intentions to worsen the situation in the Middle East and stop hiding,” said Hagari.

The statement was seen as an attempt to conceal Tel Aviv’s responsibilities in the war crime perpetrated against the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

To the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, on Thursday night (11), Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Israel will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory. The situation in the region is heading towards a greater impasse, as retaliation by Iran due to the attack on the consulate is seen as certain.

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