Is Israel Planning Another Gaza war?
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
According to the pan-Arab Al-Hayat broadsheet, Hamas’ leadership and other Gaza resistance groups believe Israel is preparing for more war on the Strip – three earlier ones launched in the past nine years.
Hamas Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade leader Yahya Sinwar declared a high-level security alert. Hamas’ Gaza headquarters was evacuated.
Security checkpoints were set up throughout the Strip, along with an increased police presence.
Measures were taken in response to Israeli forces massed near Gaza’s border, ahead of upcoming land, sea and air military exercises, simulating a major conflict, US troops involved.
Last Friday, Israeli warplanes destroyed a Hamas observation post. Tensions between Israel and its leadership heightened in recent weeks.
Trump’s international negotiator Jason Greenblatt disgracefully blamed Hamas for misery inflicted on two million Gazans by Israel’s decade-long illegal blockade, along with frequent cross-border and aerial attacks.
He turned truth on its head accusing Hamas of choosing violence over improving Palestinian lives. Israel bears full responsibility for high crimes against millions of Palestinians.
Blaming victims is commonplace US and Israeli practice. Netanyahu’s regime believes Gaza’s economic collapse could trigger conflict – only if the IDF initiates it.
Cast Lead, Pillar of Cloud and Protective Edge wars were preemptively launched by Israel – each operation planned months in advance – Hamas and Gazans victims of Israeli aggression.
On Sunday during a cabinet meeting, IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot warned of another war because of deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions.
Things have been this way for years. The notion of Hamas launching war on Israel is ludicrous. It’s a victim of Israeli viciousness, not an aggressor.
Claiming deplorable conditions in Gaza may draw Israel into another war sounds ominously like Netanyahu, other ministers and Eisenkot intend one – maybe something more devastating than earlier Israeli wars of aggression.
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