Israeli actions part of strategy to draw US into region
Karim Makdisi, an associate professor at the American University of Beirut, told Al Jazeera that Israel is pursuing a strategy to box the US into a position of firm support for its ally.
“I think they [Israel] are out of control in the sense that they are trying to create a situation in the region in which they remain in charge of what’s going on, in which they are able to create all sorts of violence, assassinate at will, blow civilian infrastructure at will, continue the genocide in Gaza, take on Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen and other countries in the region, and not necessarily understand what the repercussions are going to be,” he said.
“I do think that there is a strategy there. I think the strategy, especially with Netanyahu just having come from the US, is to try to create this kind of atmosphere in the region in order to draw the Americans in and in order to scupper any kind of ceasefire talks.”
Demonstrations continue in Tel Aviv for captives held in Gaza
Shouting slogans and waving flags, hundreds of Israelis marched in Tel Aviv to demand the government bring back captives held in Gaza.
“There is no victory until the hostages are back,” chanted the demonstrators, many wearing t-shirts emblazoned with “300 Days”, near the Defence Ministry.
“As we stand here today … dozens still remain in captivity, enduring unimaginable suffering,” campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement before the rally.
The forum called on the Netanyahu government to sign a truce deal that will ensure the captives are freed.
The way things are going, it will be another 300 days if not more :(
