As the Israel-Palestine conflict rages on, the US is believed to be the secret driving force behind averting the Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, which would result in full-fledged war and more deaths on both sides, the Politico news outlet reported, citing an informed source.
According to the media outlet, it was the US officials who privately convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the deadly confrontation with Hamas that killed dozens of civilians.
Notably, Netanyahu recently announced that the fighting would end in just a “few days.”
The source familiar with the situation told the media outlet that Israel was very close to starting ground invasion, a step that could have led to a much longer conflict and way more casualties. US influence, however, played a crucial role in preventing a ground operation, the source said.
On Monday, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley called for measures to curb the violence that threatens the stability and security of the entire region, saying “it’s in no one’s interest to continue fighting,” signaling a growing US impatience.
Also on Monday, US President Joe Biden in a phone call with Netanyahu reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defense in the conflict with the Palestinians.
The current episode of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict broke out earlier this month after civil unrest in East Jerusalem, prompting hostilities on the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip, with Palestinian militants firing thousands of rockets at Israel and the latter retaliating with airstrikes.
