US-Israel Relations Strained After Hamas Leader Assassination

Israel immediately informed the United States of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, claiming responsibility for the act, The Washington Post reports.

This move, however, sparked outrage within the Biden administration, with officials fearing it could jeopardize months of fragile ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

Further tension in the US-Israel relationship is expected, with Washington expressing frustration over Israel’s lack of communication before launching operations targeting Hezbollah or Iranian commanders. An unnamed Israeli official confirmed to the newspaper the tense nature of a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week following Haniyeh’s death.

Despite the growing tensions, sources familiar with internal discussions suggest Biden is not yet prepared to significantly pressure Israel, such as by conditioning or limiting military aid.

Amidst the escalating conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged both Iran and Israel to avoid further escalation. Following a recent meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Australian counterparts, Blinken stated that talks for a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in the Gaza war are in their final stages.

In a move to bolster Israel’s defense against a potential Iranian attack, the US has deployed F/A-18 fighter jets to the Middle East. The Pentagon, however, insists that the increased military presence aims to de-escalate the regional conflict.