There’s a major story unfolding between the U.S. and Israel that could have significant implications for their relationship and the broader situation in the Middle East.
This week, President Joe Biden reportedly threatened to cut U.S. support for Israel during a private call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The call came after Israel carried out targeted strikes that killed several top terrorists, including Hezbollah’s military commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
These strikes were in response to recent attacks on Israeli civilians, including the murder of 12 children by Hezbollah, and the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Despite Israel’s actions being seen as defensive, the Biden administration was reportedly furious, with Biden and his aides demanding that Netanyahu move toward securing a hostage deal with Hamas.
The administration has expressed frustration with Israel’s handling of negotiations, although it’s Hamas that has repeatedly backed out of talks.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) is disseminating this propaganda image that has Prime Minister Netanyahu, Mossad Director David Barnea, among others, with the suggestion that they’re going to be targeted for assassination.
The image is being disseminated with the… pic.twitter.com/mpKKMeRRhK
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) August 2, 2024
According to a report from Axios, Biden warned Netanyahu against further escalation, stating that if Israel continues to escalate the situation, they should not expect U.S. support. This warning comes as tensions in the region are at a boiling point, with Iran and its allies threatening retaliation for the killings.
Iran is particularly angry over the death of Haniyeh, who was killed while staying at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility. The IRGC, which is a branch of Iran’s military, has since circulated propaganda threatening Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu and Mossad Director David Barnea.
The situation is growing increasingly dangerous, with Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen vowing revenge. Iranian-backed terrorist groups in Iraq have also resumed attacks against U.S. forces, adding to the volatility. U.S. officials believe that an attack on Israel by Iran and its proxies could happen in the coming days, as tensions continue to escalate.
This development marks a significant moment in U.S.-Israel relations, especially as Israel navigates its complex security challenges in a region fraught with threats. Biden’s warning to Netanyahu reflects the delicate balance the U.S. is trying to maintain in supporting its ally while also preventing a wider regional conflict.
