Heightened attacks on Israeli cities have followed President Joe Biden's recent request to Israel regarding offensive weapons.
Fox News reported that the imposition of an arms embargo by President Biden on Israel has reportedly encouraged further missile strikes by Hamas against Israel.
Following President Biden's stern caution, the Gaza-based Hamas intensified rocket fire aiming at Beersheva, while the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group targeted Kiryat Shmona. The devastation in these areas has been considerable, affecting infrastructure and civilian morale.
These increased assaults have not only resulted in property damage but also loss of life. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported a tragic incident on Friday in the Gaza Strip that led to the death of four Israeli soldiers, underscoring the rising stakes and escalating hostility in the region.
Moreover, amidst the chaos, accusations have arisen against Hezbollah and Hamas for allegedly using civilians as human shields. This tactic complicates military responses and increases the potential for civilian casualties during retaliatory strikes by Israeli forces.
Amid these conflicts, some U.S. officials and commentators have vocally criticized Biden's approach. Former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman argued that Biden's policy might have inadvertently encouraged the groups targeting Israel. Gen. Jack Keane labeled the administration's decision as effectively "walking away from Israel," reflecting a sentiment shared by detractors of Biden’s decision.
In defense of the administration's stance, National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby outlined the ongoing U.S. support for Israel, which has included tactical assistance and direct involvement in mitigating aerial threats from hostile forces. Kirby emphasized the consistency of U.S. support despite the recent arms embargo.
Moreover, the strategic implications of the U.S. decision are significant, not just for Israel but for American interests as well. Hamas currently holds over 100 hostages, including Americans, using this as a lever in its conflict tactics. According to Matthew Levitt from the Washington Institute, the U.S.'s stance might further empower Hamas and Hezbollah, who could perceive the conditions as beneficial for escalating their activities.
Jonathan Conricus, a notable military analyst, commented on the situation, stressing the negative impact of public disputes between the U.S. and Israel:
When Israel’s enemies detect tension between the U.S. and its most loyal and steadfast ally in the region, Israel, it emboldens them to attack Israel more and continue with their tactics of using human shields, since they understand that the U.S. will eventually punish Israel for defending itself, regardless of Hamas and Hezbollah’s actions.
Hamas's increased confidence in regional confrontations follows the clear signals sent by varying international responses to Israeli policy. The former ambassador David Friedman publicly expressed his concern, noting that the absence of fear of reprisal encouraged Hamas to conduct attacks on major Israeli cities like Beersheva.
Meanwhile, broader geopolitical dynamics are also at play, with entities like the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) emphasizing the importance of unequivocal U.S. support for Israel, especially during these tumultuous times marked by significant antisemitism.
A letter from retired U.S. military leaders published by JINSA underscored that watching the U.S. commitment wane could have dire consequences in the Middle East and over global perceptions of U.S. resolve.
Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, also warned about Iran and its proxies' potential escalation as the embargo continues, signaling possible broader conflicts emerging from this pivotal episode.
A discernible pattern emerges from the ongoing tensions: the regional stability in the Middle East is intricately tied to U.S.-Israel relations. As debates continue over the strategic wisdom behind the U.S.'s recent decisions, these policies' impact on regional peace and the international balance of power will be closely monitored.
