**US Turns a Blind Eye to Israel’s Gaza Escalation, Contrasting with NATO Allies**
The United States has shown little concern about Israel’s plan to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, in stark contrast to its NATO allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel intends to occupy Gaza has sparked warnings from around the world, but the US has been unusually silent.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump stated that it was “pretty largely up to Israel” to fully occupy Gaza, leaving many to wonder if he is giving Israel a “green light”. The White House Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also downplayed the issue, saying that it’s not America’s concern and that the Israelis are ultimately responsible for making their own decisions.
Despite some opposition within Israel, including from Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zmir, who argued against an occupation, Netanyahu’s announcement has been met with little criticism from the US. In fact, Trump has previously been vocal about his views on Gaza, but now seems to be taking a more hands-off approach.
**The Shift in US Policy**
This shift in US policy is significant, as it marks a departure from previous statements made by Trump about Gaza. Just two weeks ago, White House official Steve Witkoff was hopeful that a deal would be reached between Israel and Hamas to bring about a lasting peace in the region. However, those talks collapsed, and Trump has since accused Hamas of acting selfishly.
Prof Amin Saikal, of the Australian National University, believes that the US administration has more leverage in this situation and that Netanyahu wouldn’t have made this move without Washington’s consent or tacit backing. This raises concerns about whether the Trump administration is using its influence to pressure Israel into making concessions.
**A Different Direction**
The US stance on Gaza is at odds with recent statements made by France, UK, and Canada regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state. These moves were intended to increase pressure on Israel to end its military operations and reach an agreement with Hamas.
This diplomatic recognition, along with America’s studied indifference towards the prospect of a prolonged Israeli military occupation, takes the US and its allied countries in markedly different direction. Both actions are a tacit admission that the current situation cannot be sustained and that a negotiated settlement is more distant than ever.
**The Future Remains Uncertain**
As always, it’s impossible to predict how long this trend will continue under Trump’s leadership. By the time he changes his course again, Israel may have already travelled a path that will be difficult to reverse in Gaza.
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