Nikos Konstandaras
The recent Israeli strikes on a humanitarian organization in Gaza and the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1st are sending shockwaves through the already volatile region.
Prompted by US pressure to aid Gaza's populace via a humanitarian corridor from Cyprus, Israel's attack, claiming the lives of seven World Central Kitchen members, resulted in the immediate suspension of aid operations.
Shortly after, Israel targeted three high-ranking Iranian military officials, responsible for coordinating Iran's activities in Syria and Lebanon. This dual assault not only infuriated Israel's key ally but also its primary adversary, raising questions about its underlying motives.
The precision of the attack on WCK vehicles suggests more than just a mistake; it hints at a blatant disregard for international norms. Moreover, Israel is well aware that for President Joe Biden, maintaining the humanitarian aid pipeline is crucial for managing domestic backlash against the Gaza conflict, particularly within his own party.
Biden's recent State of the Union address underscored this, announcing US plans to construct a temporary pier in Gaza as part of ongoing aid efforts. While Israel initially accepted the Cyprus-mediated proposal to facilitate aid shipments, it's believed that continued US support hinged on cooperation in this venture.
In the wake of Hamas's terrorist attack on October 7th, there's been widespread apprehension about a potential escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, with the specter of direct involvement from Iran and the US looming large.
It's conceivable that Israel, risking regional conflagration, sought to compel the US into reaffirming its support against Iran, notwithstanding its discontent over Gaza. In their recent discussions, Biden faced a pivotal choice: either impose limits on Netanyahu or concede to his shortcomings.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
