Dr. Robert Farley says Israel is not of the mindset to occupy Gaza. Farley, who is a senior lecturer at the UK Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, believes that lessens the chance of a protracted war with Hamas. And Farley said the visit by President Biden may carry an impact when it comes to a ground attack by Israel.
“I think that a lot in the Israeli hawkish Israeli community are worrying whether President Biden’s visit is going to delay the invasion past sort of the moment when it feels like the right thing to do,” said Farley.
With that said, Farley still thinks a ground offensive will occur, but he adds he believes, quote, “there’s a limit on the end of how long Israel will be in Gaza.”
The senior lecturer said a wider war in the Middle East is a possibility. Farley noted President Biden’s visit there may help to head that off. Farley added the biggest question right now is the attitude of the militant group Hezbollah and whether it might launch attacks against Israel possibly with Iran’s backing.
“And I think there’s some concern about Americans that Israel might respond directly against Iran at some point which would run the concern about a wider war that might involve Syria, that might involve Iraq in some way. But that certainly would strikes back and forth between Iran and Israel,” said Farley.
Farley believes there’s little to suggest that a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians is viable anytime soon.
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