In a highly anticipated meeting, top officials from the Biden administration and Ron Dermer, a confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, engaged in a four-hour discussion. According to a White House official, the meeting centered around various crucial topics. One of the key focuses was the need for Israel to concentrate its efforts on high-value Hamas targets. The officials also delved into strategies to improve the humanitarian situation in the region. Additionally, they broached the subject of Israel's post-war plans for Gaza.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of Netanyahu's recent visit to the embattled Gaza enclave, where he pledged to continue fighting, despite reports of a climbing death toll exceeding 20,000. While these figures have not been independently verified, reports from the ground depict a harrowing scene of devastation. One account from central Gaza described an overwhelmed hospital, with over 500 injured individuals from a single airstrike, causing the death of 250 people, including a nine-year-old boy with a traumatic brain injury caused by shrapnel. Meanwhile, Gaza continues to grapple with a communications blackout, exacerbating the suffering of its civilian population.
Dermer, known for his extensive experience as an ambassador to the U.S. and current cabinet minister, was dispatched to the U.S. to ascertain the reasons behind the delay and lack of accommodation of Israeli requests for ammunition and military gear. Another crucial element of the discussion revolved around Israel's plans for the Gaza invasion. Israeli authorities assured their American counterparts that they were transitioning from phase two to phase three of their operation. This shift entails a reduction in air bombings and exchanges of fire, replacing them with intelligence-driven special operation raids. The objective is to eliminate the remaining infrastructure and control of Hamas, particularly their vast underground tunnel network, which Israeli intelligence initially underestimated but now believes to span around 600 kilometers.
However, while Israeli leaders contend that their actions are necessary to counter the threat and ensure the safety of their people, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for the creation of more terrorists. It is a sentiment expressed by American officials with experience in fighting ideologically-based terrorism and its subsequent radicalization. Privately, Israeli officials acknowledge the concern, indicating that they understand the limitations of eradicating an entrenched social and religious movement like Hamas. Nevertheless, the horrific events of October 7 significantly impacted Israeli decision-making, leading to a focus on immediate responses rather than comprehensive strategizing.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Iran has accused Israel of killing a high-level Iranian military advisor in Syria. This allegation forms part of Iran's strategy to escalate tensions indirectly by supporting other groups willing to confront Israel, such as the Houthis in Yemen. The recent attack by the Houthis involving massive missile, cruise missile, and kamikaze drone strikes was intercepted by both the U.S. and Israel. Israeli military spokespersons refrained from directly commenting on reports but emphasized their responsibility to defend Israel's security. Thus, the targeted killing in Syria seems to be a message from Israel to Iran that it will not shirk from holding the Iranian regime responsible for attacks orchestrated by its proxies in remote areas of the Middle East.
As the meeting between U.S. officials and Dermer concluded, the issue of Gaza's post-war situation was deemed premature to address. The absence of suitable alternatives to the Palestinian Authority for governing and rebuilding the region has posed challenges for Israeli leaders. With the complexities and ongoing violence, the Israeli strategy remains unclear, leaving many wondering about the path forward in this protracted conflict.
