In a recent development, the Israel Defense Minister has told U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan that the military struggle in Gaza will last more than a few months. This update comes as Sullivan conducts a series of meetings in Israel with the country's war cabinet. The objective is to implement a new strategy to mitigate what President Biden believes has devolved into uncontrolled bombing in Gaza.
Simultaneously, new intelligence data has surfaced showing that nearly 50% of the munitions Israel has utilized in the Gaza conflict are unguided, or 'dumb' bombs. This information could significantly shift the public's perception of Israel’s proclaimed commitments to minimize civilian losses during their operations in Gaza. Despite U.S. confidence in Israel's intent to protect civilians, experts hold firm on their position that the utilization of these unguided munitions undermines this claim.
Intelligence reveals that approximately 40-45% of the 29,000 munitions dropped on Gaza have been these imprecise ‘dumb bombs’. The argument that such weapons don't inherently pinpoint targets with accuracy holds noteworthy implications on Israel's affirmations regarding the protection of civilians.
However, it is crucial to note that precision-guided munitions aren't infallible either, but within the dense population structure of Gaza, their use is critical. Even slight misfiring can have the difference of life or death for many.
Considering the gravity of the situation, the National Security Advisor’s meetings in Israel focus primarily on asserting the necessity of improved precision in military operations within Gaza. In a recent statement, the White House shared that discussions will also cover the subsequent stages of the military campaign, and ways to become more precise, thereby reducing civilian harm.
All of this comes barely two days after President Biden expressed his concern about Israel's approach escalating into indiscriminate bombing. Consequently, U.S. intelligence's assessment supporting the deliberate use of these ‘dumb bombs’ resonates with President Biden's recent remarks. As talks between U.S.'s Jake Sullivan and Israel's war cabinet continue, observers wait to see what new resolutions emerge in the coming days.
