Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
15 July 2024 | 12:21 p.m. SAST
3-minute read

Over the past weekend, ‘Israel’ launched a series of massacres on Gaza.

On Saturday, ‘Israel’ dropped five 2 000-pound bombs on a designated safe-zone in al-Mawasi where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering. The attack, which ‘Israeli’ Occupation Forces (IOF) claim was aimed at Hamas chief Mohammed Deif, killed 90 Palestinians. It is not certain Deif was killed in the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

‘Israel’s’ massacre on the al-Shati Masjid in northern Gaza killed more than 22 people while they were performing salaah on Saturday, Moulana Ebrahim Moosa reported for Radio Islam International earlier this morning.

The third attack saw 13 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed at the Abu Araban school in Nuseirat, where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering. ‘Israel’ reportedly said that the attack aimed to strike terrorists operating in the area who were hiding out at the Abu Araban school building and using is as a base for “attacks” on Israeli troops.

These actions are believed to be efforts by Netanyahu to disrupt ceasefire negotiations, as suggested by British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah. There is significant consensus among various parties, including Israeli officials, that Netanyahu’s demands and actions are intended to undermine ceasefire efforts.

Meanwhile, the United States (US) resumed shipments of 500-pound bombs to Israel after a brief pause, sharing responsibility for the ongoing bloodshed.

Simultaneously, over 60 media and civil society organisations, under the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have called for unrestricted media access to Gaza. These groups highlighted the deaths of over 100 journalists since ‘Israel’s’ genocidal onslaught began and condemned ‘Israel’s’ attempts to control the narrative by restricting access to independent journalists.

Moulana Moosa discussed the potential effects of evolving US politics on Netanyahu’s political career and on ‘Israel’ current misfortunes.

Netanyahu is believed to be stalling for time until his upcoming speech in Congress next week. Analysts suggest that he hopes this address will bolster his political fortunes amidst the fragmentation of his government due to potential walkouts by members Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.

“He’s waiting for that speech in Congress, where apparently he might be able to put out certain messages that he feels would be able to swat his political fortunes. After that address he’s waiting for Donald Trump, [who] he believes would be able to repair damaged relations and save his political fortunes,” Moulana Moosa said.

Moulana Moosa reports on Ramzi Baroud’s analysis of Trump’s potential return and what it would mean for ‘Israel’.

“Trump is not going to be the genie this time for the ‘Israeli’s’ [according to Baroud’s analysis]” Moulana Moosa said.

Despite Biden’s strong support, Israel has not succeeded in Gaza, and Trump’s personal grievances with Netanyahu further complicate their relationship.

According to Baroud’s analysis, Israel’s problems are intrinsic and cannot be resolved by Washington. He notes that the US fundamentally disagrees with Netanyahu’s concept of a prolonged war, having learned from the long, unwinnable attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan.

Additionally, destabilising the Middle East is strategically unfavourable for the US amidst other global crises. “It comes at a time when Ukraine is suffering serious weapons shortage, territorial losses, and a time when US-European allies are struggling under the weight of an economic and political crisis,” Moulana Moosa said.

Listen to the Palestine Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.