Second front or wind it down? The new year begins with yet another trip by the US Secretary of State to Israel. What message does Antony Blinken carry for Benjamin Netanyahu? As the war in Gaza enters its fourth month, we ask about Washington's calls for restraint and the potential for escalation with Lebanon, this in the wake of last week's air strike that killed a senior Hamas official in a Hezbollah stronghold of Beirut.
Blinken's visit comes as Israel's military announces a drawdown from northern Gaza. The beginning of the end of a brutal campaign or a redeployment to the northern border? The prime minister continues to insist on a long war.
We ask about simmering tensions between Netanyahu and his military command, as well as the staying power of the longest-serving leader in Israel’s history. Netanyahu's coalition with a far right that wants to annex Gaza seems safe for now, despite growing domestic pressure and the knowledge that Israel's main backer, the United States, clearly does not want another "forever war" in an election year.
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Imen Mellaz.
