Israel under fire: US fury over assassination of Hamas leader
Israel contacted the White House immediately after the killing of 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.
According to "The Washington Post," citing sources in the White House, Israel informed the United States immediately after the assassination of Hamas leader Isma'il Haniyeh that Tel Aviv was responsible for the killing.
The previous political leader of Hamas was killed in Tehran, where he was visiting as a guest at the inauguration of President Masud Paezeshkian. After Haniyeh's death, Iran announced its intention to retaliate 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 organisation also announced it would seek revenge on Israel.
According to the newspaper, Biden administration officials were furious about the decision to remove Haniyeh, fearing it could undo months of careful negotiations regarding the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
"The Washington Post" 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.
- We maintain constant contact with our allies and partners in the region, and there is a clear consensus that no one should escalate the situation - said Blinken. He revealed that this message was directly communicated to Iran and Israel.
Blinken emphasised that Washington will continue to defend Israel from attacks, but "everyone in the region should be aware of the risks of escalation and miscalculation." - Further attacks only increase the risk of dangerous consequences that no one can foresee, and no one will be able to control fully - he added.
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.
