Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton believes that the ongoing war in Gaza is still in its early stages and is complicated by Iran’s involvement. He frames the conflict between Israel and Hamas as “an Iranian war against Israel” and argues that Iran has not been held accountable for its actions. Israel declared war on Hamas after a terror attack killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped over 200 others, with some individuals still in captivity. Bolton, a noted foreign policy hawk, has advocated for regime change in Iran previously.
Iran accused Israel of bombing part of its embassy compound in Damascus, leading to the death of seven Iranian military personnel. The incident has heightened tensions between the two countries, with Tehran vowing retaliation. Iran provides support to groups opposing Israel, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, leading to the conflict in Gaza being referred to as a proxy war. While Iran denies involvement in the terror attack on Oct. 7, U.S. intelligence suggests that Iranian leaders were surprised by the attack.
In January, Iran conducted strikes in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan, further escalating tensions in the Middle East. Bolton warns that as long as the current Iranian government remains in power, it will pose a threat to international peace and security. Israel has faced criticism for targeting international aid workers from World Central Kitchen, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals. This incident sparked international outrage and led to the suspension of humanitarian operations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deaths as unintentional in the context of war and pledged to investigate the matter.
Bolton refutes claims of deliberate targeting by Israel and emphasizes that ending the suffering in Gaza requires the elimination of Hamas, the root cause of the suffering. He argues that eliminating Hamas is the key to establishing peace and stability in the region. With over 32,900 casualties in Gaza since the conflict began, humanitarian concerns continue to mount. The Israeli government faces scrutiny for its actions and must navigate the complex dynamics of the conflict with Iran and other regional players. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation and bloodshed.
