In a recent interview with British TalkTV's Douglas Murray, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his country's determination to act independently in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as President Joe Biden's stance on the United States support wavers.
Netanyahu stated, "A nation has to do what it has to do to survive." According to him, if leaders cannot endure public opinion pressure, then Israel will "do it alone" and do what is necessary.
US Encourages Israel-Hamas War De-Escalation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a Cabinet meeting at the Kirya, which houses the Israeli Ministry of Defence, in Tel Aviv on December 31, 2023. Netanyahu said Israel displayed unparalleled "morality" in the Gaza war and rejected South Africa's charge that it was committing "genocidal" acts in the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli Prime Minister's statements came after the Biden administration faced internal deliberations on its support for Israel, with signs of a possible reassessment amidst the growing anti-Israel protests in the US. Recent reports suggest that US officials are exploring the possibility of slowing or pausing some arms shipments to Israel to encourage a de-escalation of the military assault in Gaza and to pressure Netanyahu to change tactics.
During a recent phone conversation, Biden also reportedly communicated his concerns to Netanyahu expressing that he will not support a year-long war in Gaza. The US president urged a transition to low-intensity fighting against Hamas, emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians.
Biden sought clarity on Israel's strategy for ending the war and conveyed that he is not supportive of a prolonged year-long war. The call marked a point of growing divergence between Washington and Jerusalem on post-war plans, with the US advocating for reunification of Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
Concerns within the Biden administration are mounting, with a Biden adviser expressing significant worry about the potential loss of support from young voters who oppose the president's stance on the Gaza war, according to an Axios report.
As per the news outlet, a source close to the White House emphasized the urgency for the administration to prevent the ongoing conflict and rising death toll from dominating the news as the elections draw near. Both the White House and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office opted not to provide comments on the matter.
In an additional development, the US has reportedly established a channel with Israel to discuss concerns over incidents in Gaza resulting in civilian casualties and the targeting of civilian facilities. Washington's frustration with Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza is evident, with calls for increased aid to minimize the plight of the civilian population.
For weeks, Biden has asserted his ongoing efforts to convince Israel to modify its military tactics. On January 8, when confronted by protesters advocating for a cease-fire, he mentioned actively working with the Israeli government to encourage a substantial reduction of their presence in Gaza, utilizing all available means to achieve this goal.
Read Also: Biden-Netanyahu Talks: World Leaders Discuss Situation in Gaza
Israel-Hamas Conflict
Netanyahu framed the war against Hamas as part of a broader struggle for "global domination" and against Iranian aggression, with Iran supporting extremist groups like Hamas in their attacks on Israel.
He warned of the potential consequences if Iran, with its nuclear ambitions, emerges victorious. "If barbarism wins here, Europe will be next. America will be next. Iran will emerge victorious," he stated, emphasizing the high stakes involved.
"This is part of a larger battle. And everyone has a stake in Israel's winning," the prime minister pressed.
Netanyahu urged world leaders, including Biden, to recognize the gravity of the situation, stating, "This is your war as well because this is not merely a minor skirmish."
Last weekend, the US military experienced its first casualties from enemy fire since the conflict began in Israel. Drones targeted an American base in Jordan, resulting in three service members losing their lives and 34 others getting injured. President Biden pointed to radical groups with Iranian backing operating in Syria and Iran as responsible for the attack.
Related Article: Biden Vows Retaliation After 3 US Troops Killed in Drone Attack in Jordan
