Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 01:55 pm
Washington: The Biden administration is gearing up for an expected Iranian strike on Israel to be believed in response to this week’s killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Three American sources informed Axios the anticipated attack could be similar in nature to the April 13 incident but on a larger scale, possibly involving Lebanese Hezbollah.
Mobilizing Support Endangers
But according to the news agency Adnkronos, the administration is concerned there does not appear to be an ability, as it were, to round up that very same regional and international coalition which came to support Israel during its attack earlier. That coalition had helped to defend against a swarm of missiles and drones launched in April.
Effects on Ceasefire Efforts
President Joe Biden admitted on this very day that the killing of Ismail Haniyeh now leaves added pressure to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. He told reporters at Andrews Air Base, upon the arrival of prisoners exchanged with Russia, his deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Biden also had a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he also repeated that the efforts leading to a ceasefire must be carried on. Biden termed his conversation as “very direct” and, of course, carried out a peaceful resolution.
Haniyeh’s Burial in Qatar
The body of Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Doha from Iran, where his funeral was attended by thousands in Tehran.
Expected Response from Iran
Washington — The Biden administration is preparing for the possibility of an Iranian attack on Israel in response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, three sources tell me. The strike, which could resemble the one that occurred on April 13 but with more drone and missile hits and include Hezbollah, would likely aim for civilian targets in Jewish-majority areas.
This is because, according to the same reports, the administration is troubled by how hard it has proven to marshal the same regional and international coalition that supported Israel the last time around. This coalition was said to have come together to help defend against what was described as a swarm of drones and missiles launched in April, according to the Adnkronos news agency.
Impact on Ceasefire Efforts
President Joe Biden acknowledged that ‘the killing of Ismail Haniyeh complicates the ceasefire efforts in Gaza.’ At Andrews Air Base, while welcoming prisoners exchanged with Russia, Biden expressed deep concern about the spiraling tensions in the Middle East.
Biden’s Call with Netanyahu
Over the phone, Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden made it clear that a ceasefire should continue as the efforts are still ongoing. He described his conversation as “very direct.” He also emphasized that an end to the conflict is needed peacefully.
Haniyeh Burial in Qatar
The body of Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Doha from Iran, where his funeral was attended by thousands of people in Tehran. He will be buried in Qatar on Sunday following a funeral prayer at Qatar’s national mosque and burial in the city of Lusail, Hamas and Qatari state media reported.
President Joe Biden, speaking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conceded yesterday that the targeted killing of Ismail Haniyeh “doesn’t help” in seeking a truce in Gaza with Hamas. Speaking to reporters at Andrews Air Base, where he greeted the prisoners exchanged with Russia, Biden said he was concerned about the latest flare of tensions in the Middle East.
Background and Current Context
The political chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was leading negotiations to reach a compromise concerning the war in Gaza and the hostages’ release in the territory in exchange for Palestinian detainees in Israel. His killing in Tehran, as announced by Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, raised the stakes. It amounts to a significant test for efforts at the current cease-fire.
The 61-year-old was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
This development came after an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally obtained from official Israeli figures.
Ongoing Negotiations and Concerns
After months of negotiations in talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt—the latter with the support of the US—an agreement for a ceasefire and hostage release deal has not been reached by Hamas and Israel. Israel and Hamas have blamed each other as the cause of the delay in reaching an agreement.
Campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum acknowledged the military success of the past almost 10 months of the war but said that “true achievement” could only come with the return of the hostages. “Time is of the essence, and we urge the Israeli government, and world leaders, to push forward the negotiations decisively,” the group said in a statement after news broke of Haniyeh’s killing.
Regional Reactions
In Tel Aviv, residents said they were anxious about potential responses from Hamas and its allies, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.
This is only hours after an Israeli strike late Tuesday targeted the top Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in a building in a south Beirut suburb.
Jacob of Tel Aviv said it would accomplish nothing to kill Haniyeh. “Our goal is to release the hostages, and the war on October 7 shouldn’t have happened,” he said.
