Israel's Hamas leader assassination infuriates Biden administration
Israel called the White House immediately after killing the political leader of Hamas to admit to the attack. "The Washington Post," citing sources, claims that the Biden administration was furious and outraged that Tel Aviv did not inform them of their plans.
8:02 AM EDT, August 7, 2024
According to "The Washington Post," citing sources in the White House, Israel, immediately after the assassination of Hamas leader Isma'il Haniyeh, informed the United States that Tel Aviv was responsible for the killing.
The previous political leader of Hamas was killed in Tehran, where he arrived as a guest at the inauguration of President Masud Paezeshkian. After Haniyeh's death, Iran announced retaliation against Israel. Tel Aviv has officially not taken responsibility for the assassination of the Hamas leader.
The day before the assassination of the Hamas leader, the military leader of Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, was also killed in an Israeli attack on Beirut, and the Lebanese organization also announced it would avenge Israel.
The newspaper reported that Biden administration officials were extremely upset about the removal of Haniyeh, as they were concerned it might jeopardize months of delicate negotiations aimed at maintaining the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
"WP" reports that American officials are outraged that Israel did not inform them of the planned assassinations of Hezbollah or Iranian commanders.
An Israeli official quoted by the newspaper confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden last week "was tense."
Conflict "Cannot escalate"
The United States has directly informed Iran and Israel that the conflict in the Middle East cannot escalate - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Tuesday. The Pentagon warned that it "will not tolerate" attacks on U.S. forces in the region.
Blinken stated that they are in continuous communication with their allies and partners in the region, emphasizing that there is a shared agreement to avoid escalating the situation. He also mentioned that this message was conveyed directly to both Iran and Israel.
He stressed that Washington will remain committed to defending Israel from attacks, but he warned that all parties in the region must recognize the dangers of escalation and misjudgment. He added that additional attacks heighten the likelihood of unpredictable and uncontrollable consequences.
Blinken also informed that talks on the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are in the final stage and should conclude soon.
Additional forces being sent to the region
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that he "will not tolerate" attacks on U.S. forces and their allies in the Middle East and that all efforts are being made to protect them and assist Israel "if we are asked."
Reuters reminds us that the entire Middle East is preparing for a new wave of attacks from Iran and its allies following the assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. On Monday, as a result of an attack on a U.S. base in Iraq, five U.S. soldiers and two civilian contractors were injured. According to Austin, the attacks were carried out by groups supported by Iran.
The Pentagon previously announced the deployment of additional air and naval forces, including an aircraft carrier, to the Middle East.
