This is my latest voiceover for Southfront. Please keep in mind that I don’t write these things-- the reports apparently come from Southfront’s people in the Middle East.
My own sources, however, corroborate what the video is saying – namely, that “fire” has not “:ceased” in the Middle East on any of the fronts-- Gaza, Lebanon, or Syria—despite the agreements with Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Israelis are as agreement-incapable as the Americans: it is they who are breaking the ceasefire.
The cessation of hostilities in Gaza that Trump was boasting is nowhere-- just like the previous truce in Lebanon under the Biden people, All that has happened is, as I predicted, that Israel takes a breather, reducing —but not stopping its violence—although failing to accomplish its goals and taking too many casualties.
Trump has encouraged the Zionists with his various bloviations, even though Hamas has followed the agreement pretty much to the letter- and now, is offering to release all of the remaining hostages in advance of the schedule, going the extra mile.
In Lebanon, there is tension between the Lebanese government, widely believed to be pro-Western, and Hezbollah – but Hezbollah has popular support as the only body capable of providing both social services and resistance to Israeli attempts at land grabs, not to mention bombings and terrorist attacks on civilians.
Simply put, Lebanon’s government can do nothing for the country’s citizens – Hezbollah is the only organization that can do that. In this situation, Hezbollah IS Lebanon, as it has been for many years.
However, Israel will continue its efforts to occupy Southern Lebanon, ironically proving strengthening Hezbollah’s position and public support.
In Syria, Israel has expanded its presence in the South with attacks on former Syrian bases, just in case the new government starts acting like a government. That has encouraged Joulani to mend fences with the Russians, who look likely to keep their bases in Syria, not that they are all that useful anymore.
In Gaza, Israel insists that it will not recognize Hamas as the de facto government of the strip, despite having negotiated an agreement- but is not recognizing any other. So Gaza can have no government at all.
Israel rationalizes — defining both Hamas and Hezbollah as “terrorist” groups—as does the US – so following US policy—it can attack them whenever it likes, ceasefire or not.
In the meantime, Israel is expanding attacks in the West Bank.
On 21 January – two days after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect – Israel launched a large-scale operation in Jenin refugee camp, which has since expanded to Tulkarem, Tubas and other areas in the Occupied West Bank. In just four weeks, Israel’s military assault – through airstrikes, ground incursions and demolitions – killed over 40 Palestinians, including a 2-year-old girl, leveled dozens of residential buildings, damaged critical infrastructure and forcibly displaced at least 40,000 Palestinians. OCHA warned that “lethal, war-like tactics are being applied, raising concerns over the use of force that exceeds law enforcement standards,” in what may amount to war crimes. While Israeli officials claim they are conducting a so-called counterterrorism campaign, statements by the defense minister that the Israeli military is applying the same methods as those used in Gaza demonstrates the heightened risk of further atrocities in the Occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Trump’s various statements including his now famous Gazan “Riviera” comments were misunderstood by some pundits as a clever way of forcing the Zionists into a corner. I thought they were giving the genocidaires carte blanche to “cleanse” all of Gaza.
Subsequently, the Donald’s threats against Gaza should Hamas balk at releasing hostages, despite Israel violating the ceasefire agreement so egregiously, convince me that I was right. Hardly even-handed.
The violence has diminished — but continues.
As a result, the agreement is already suffering the “death of a thousand cuts”. Sometime down the line, comes decapitation. You can be sure that Hezbollah and the Houthis and the Axis of Resistance are preparing. They too are getting a breather.
Netanyahu’s visit to the Whitehouse and his gift of a golden pager — a symbol of one of modern times’ worst acts of state terrorism —showed Trump never intended to maneuver Bibi to adopt a more moderate, less murderous course.
Rather, to the contrary. Bibi is an honorary member of the Trump team. Or is it the other way around?
However, Bibi, unlike other citizens of Trumpville, gets to do whatever he wants. That makes it easier for Trump who rarely has a plan, He leaves “thinking” to other people—Musk or JD Vance for example. In any case, why “plan” when you will be out of office in a couple of years, as the US of A hits a BRICS wall?
There will be a lot of blood in the meantime. Trump just hopes it doesn’t get on his suit.
But Hamas knows the game.—and Hezbollah does too. And Joulani in Syria too. Also Iran. And just about everybody else in the Arab world. Not to mention the Russians
It isn’t “Make America Great Again” — it’s “Make Donald Great Again”.
Hubris,
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I don't really understand what Trump has in his mind with regard to Gaza. I sit here hoping that the Arab world will Unite and get shot of Israel forever. Yes, it could threaten the world (which Israel seems to want) but even if we go back to the original borders the Israelis will NOT give up.
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