Israeli Adventure
The Israeli adventure has witnessed a series of events in recent days, scenes of confrontation between Israel and resistance forces that have brought the region closer to a final confrontation point. It tells of new Israeli adventures, and as we approach the US presidential elections, these adventures take on newer dimensions.
Netanyahu was almost relieved by Biden’s presence in the competition. With Biden’s sidelining, new conditions have emerged that unsettle Trump’s position. It is clear that Netanyahu is playing hardball to influence the US elections, and it is evident that his preferred choice is Donald Trump.
Following Iran’s drone missile attack on Israel in the month of Farvardin, dubbed ‘Sincere Promise,’ Israel showed a cautious and insignificant reaction.
Prior to this, Israel had repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria, including the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Israel even refrained from carrying out targeted assassinations inside Iran.
It seems that with the ‘Sincere Promise’ operation, Iran has been able to employ another level of deterrence, which has been accepted by Israel and its Western supporters. New red lines have practically been drawn between Iran and Israel.
However, it was clear that this level of acceptance could not satisfy Netanyahu and the extremist right-wing groups.
Israel’s retaliation in Yemen after the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv was met with widespread reactions that were disproportionate to other similar attacks, indicating the start of these new adventures.
Netanyahu tried to send a clear message to Iran after that attack.
In the second stage, we witnessed a missile falling in the occupied Golan Heights, targeting several children playing in a football field.
Israel immediately pointed the finger at Hezbollah, while Hezbollah completely denied any such attacks.
The striking of areas inhabited by Druze Syrians, who despite four decades of occupation still do not accept Israeli citizenship, and the non-military nature of the target area, further added to the ambiguities of this attack. Israel’s response was hitting a building in Beirut’s suburbs, which was said to be the headquarters of Fouad Shukr, the first person in charge of Hezbollah’s field operations there.
However, the third adventure is the most important of all and signifies a significant escalation of tensions.
This attack took place on Iranian soil and targeted the first person of Hamas, who had just arrived in Iran for an official diplomatic visit to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian President.
The legal and international dimensions of this incident are in their place, but its political message to Iran is very provocative. It implies that Israel has challenged Iran’s desired concept of deterrence and has set new red lines.
Is the goal of this attack to disrupt a trend that could weaken Israel and Netanyahu’s position in America with Kamala Harris’ candidacy in the US elections?
Despite differences with Netanyahu, Joe Biden has helped Israel’s interests more than any other president, even Trump. But this time, the choice is between Kamala Harris and Trump, and Ms. Harris has shown in her initial stance that she will not give Netanyahu a blank check signed by Biden.
Her aim is to garner support from opponents of war, and if she comes to power, pressure on Netanyahu will increase.
The impact on the US elections is likely just one of the motivations for the new adventure of Israeli right-wingers. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with nuclear weapons.
The pressures and the encirclement ring from the Israeli perspective are such that they may one day be forced to use them.
Considering that American security sources recently announced that Iran is only two weeks away from nuclear breakout, does Netanyahu’s new adventure signify a new strategy in returning to the previous level of containment or creating another level to Iran’s detriment?
To find the answer to this question, we must wait for the official reaction of Iran and other regional and global players, especially the United States, although predicting reactions in regions where the main function of politics is to inflict the most pain on the enemy is not that difficult.
