Israel Accuses Iran of Destabilizing Region Amid Gaza Operation

Israel has accused Iran of destabilizing the region and distracting from its ongoing military operation in Gaza. The Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023 with a Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and abducted 250 others, has now claimed the lives of more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Around two-thirds of the victims are reported to be women and children.

As the conflict continues, Israel has carried out near-daily air raids on the southern city of Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has sought refuge. Palestinian hospital officials reported that recent Israeli airstrikes on Rafah killed at least five people, including two children. In central Gaza, four people were killed in Israeli tank shelling as they tried to move to northern Gaza, where Israel's military is preventing people from returning to their homes.

Why this matters: The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has not only resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza but has also heightened regional tensions, with Israel accusing Iran of destabilizing the area. The conflict's impact on civilians, particularly women and children, underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and international support for those affected.

A top Hamas political official has said the group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel if a two-state solution is implemented. However, this proposal is unlikely to be accepted by Israel. The war has also led to attacks on ships in the Gulf of Aden, with the most recent assault likely carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels over Israel's ongoing operation in Gaza.

In response to Iranian drone and missile strikes in Israel, the Israeli Air Force launched limited airstrikes on April 19, 2024, targeting an air defense facility within Iran. The strikes damaged or destroyed a surface-to-air missile battery at an airbase near Isfahan. Iran has vowed to retaliate for the strike on the Iranian consulate annex in Damascus, Syria, which killed several IRGC officers and other Iranian-backed militants.

The United States has announced new sanctions on Iran targeting its drone production capabilities, while also providing substantial military and humanitarian aid to Israel and Gaza. The U.S. Congress has approved a $26 billion aid package for Israel, including funds for missile and rocket defense systems, advanced weapons, and other defense supplies.

As the conflict continues, top Israeli intelligence and military officials have met with Egyptian officials in Cairo to discuss a possible Israel Defense Forces operation in Rafah. Egyptian officials are concerned that such an operation would lead to tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians entering their territory, potentially endangering Egypt's security. The U.S. has noted that the IDF's plans include a slow and gradual operation in Rafah, rather than an all-out invasion of the entire city.

U.S. President Joe Biden has signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that includes around $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which experts say is on the brink of famine. The ongoing war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, with around two-thirds of the casualties being women and children. Israeli officials have praised the U.S. aid package as a reaffirmation of strong U.

Key Takeaways

• Israel-Hamas war since Oct 2023 has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, 2/3 women & children.
• Israel accuses Iran of destabilizing region, launches airstrikes on Iran in response.
• U.S. provides $26B military aid to Israel, $9B humanitarian aid to Gaza amid famine risk.
• Hamas proposes 5-year truce if 2-state solution implemented, unlikely to be accepted by Israel.
• Egypt concerned IDF operation in Rafah could lead to tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians.