CNN quoting a US intelligence report, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s viability as a leader is “in jeopardy”.
“Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections,” the report said. “A different, more moderate government is a possibility.”
CNN said Netanyahu has been on the backfoot ever since the Hamas attacks of last October when more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 240 taken hostage. It says public polling suggests many Israelis are doubtful if Netanyahu’s crushing military offensive in Gaza is the best way to go about trying to get back the hostages.
While the Israeli people support the destruction of Hamas, mounting reports of starvation and disease in Gaza are hurting Israel, as US President Biden has said. In fact, US intelligence reports say Israel will face armed resistance from Hamas for years to come and it will struggle to flush out Hamas fighters from the underground infrastructure they have built in Gaza.
The report says Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza will only embolden future generations of terrorists. Both Al-Qaida and ISIS have already directed their supporters to attack US and Israeli interests.
There are also signs that Israel’s border with Lebanon is hotting up after Hezbollah said it had carried out at least 13 strikes targeting Israeli bases near the border. It was apparently in response to Israeli strikes the previous night.
According to The Jerusalem Post, at least 100 Hezbollah rockets slammed into Israel’s Galilee and the Golan Heights. Israel had earlier hit a Hezbollah drone base and another where long range rockets were kept. The Post reported that Israel wants Hezbollah to withdraw entirely from South Lebanon and with that in mind has targeted Hezbollah border outposts.
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