(StraightNews.org) – US officials claim that the public positions of Hamas and Israel do not reflect private negotiations. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the federal government is working very hard with both sides and believes that ceasefire talks are proving fruitful. “We wouldn’t have sent a team over there if we didn’t think we had a shot,” he said.
Nevertheless, analysts say recent Israeli military action will likely present new challenges. On July 8, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) launched a new offensive in Gaza City, prompting Hamas spokesperson Ismail Haniyeh to declare that negotiations may revert to “square one.”
Israeli forces encouraged Gaza City residents to leave the area, saying it would become a “dangerous combat zone.” Reports indicate that around 30 people died when the IDF struck the fourth school in the city, insisting the buildings were occupied by Hamas and members of other militant Islamic groups.
Hamas described the attack as a “terrible massacre” and said the dead were women and children. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said 2,000 people were sheltering in the Holy Family school when IDF bombs struck.
Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines has accused Iran of stirring up anti-Israel sentiment inside the United States. Haines suggested that activists linked to the Iranian regime participated in and encouraged dozens of anti-Israel protests on US university campuses and provided demonstrators with financial support.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said Americans have a right to free speech and protest but should be aware of foreign influence in US politics. “We will continue to expose attempts to undermine our democracy,” she said.
Ms. Haines noted that her agency has observed Iranian agents posing as online activists and encouraging campus protests. She said Iran hopes to undermine American democracy and destroy public confidence, which it views as significant and timely given the upcoming Presidential election. Haines declared that she would continue to monitor Iranian activity on US social media and activist platforms.
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