U.S. and Allies Increasingly Isolated in Middle East Crisis, With No End in Sight

The Middle East crisis has left the U.S., Israel and its Western allies increasingly isolated in a way that is starting to resemble the 2003 Iraq War. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said that Israel will have “overall security responsibility” in Gaza for an indefinite period after its war with Hamas. This has tested U.S. influence in the region, as Washington is trying to maintain its traditional support for Israel while facing growing international outrage over the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

In an interview with ABC News, Netanyahu expressed openness to “little pauses” in the fighting to facilitate the release of some of the more than 240 captives seized by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack into Israel. The Biden administration is struggling to contain the crisis, with the president and his top diplomat so far unable to persuade the Israeli government to temporarily halt its offensive against Palestinian militants to allow more humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza.

The conflict has been ongoing for one month, with no end in sight. The U.S. is facing pressure from both sides, as it seeks to maintain its support for Israel while also trying to protect the rights of Palestinians. The Biden administration is attempting to broker a ceasefire, but so far has been unsuccessful.

The crisis has left the U.S. and its allies in a difficult position, as they try to balance their support for Israel with the need to protect the rights of Palestinians. The Biden administration is continuing to work to broker a ceasefire and allow for more humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza, but so far has been unable to reach an agreement. The situation remains tense, as the conflict continues with no end in sight.