ISIS Does Israel a Big Favour
Daesh or ISIS has long acquired a reputation as a blood thirsty violent movement more noted for its Takfiri ideology. Wherever they go, it is to set up their branches where existing Islamic movements or governments are already in place. With their extremist approach, anyone not subscribing to their way of thinking is branded an apostate and therefore fair game for extermination. Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and even Palestine are some examples of countries where this group spread its poisonous tentacles and continues its despicable activities.
One of the most striking thing is that despite its avowed hatred of kufur or non-believers, ISIS has never once attacked Israel or its citizens leading to speculation in the media that ISIS was a creature created by Israel to fulfil its political interest. ISIS has been conspicuously silent and a non-participant in the Gaza conflict.
On January the 3rd, last Wednesday, two huge explosions rocked a gathering in the city of Kerman, Iran during a memorial procession for Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, assassinated by the CIA in a drone strike three years ago. Hundreds of Iranians were killed and wounded in the attack. Shortly afterwards ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. What is significant is in the timing of the attack. Previously on the 25th of December 2023 an Israeli airstrike had eliminated General Razi Moussavi, the most senior commander in the Quds Force, the foreign arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Just the day before the incident, on 2nd January 2024, Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy leader of Hamas, was killed in an Israeli strike on an office in the Dahieh neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon. He was staying in Beirut as a guest of Hezbollah, the Shite resistance movement of Lebanon. So all the three events are related and serves the same narrative. Israel is trying to goad Iran into war with Israel with Israel. What could possibly be the reasons why drawing Iran into the war serves PM Netanyahu’s political interest?
Firstly the war in Gaza is not working out according to Netanyahu’s calculations. His much vaunted troops are taking a beating from Al Qassam Brigades losing thousands of soldiers killed and severely injured. They are also losing a big amount of armor in terms of Merkava tanks and Armored Personal Carriers. After almost three months, Hamas is still standing firm. The goal of eliminating Hamas has not proven to be achievable to date due to the superior guerilla tactics, extreme bravery and sheer fighting spirit of the Gazans. The fighting has gone on far beyond their target dates and this is costing them untold billions of shekels due to the effect of war on the economy. As most of Israel’s troops are mainly reservists, the fact that they are away on the battlefront, meant many civilian jobs are currently vacant. Secondly, the unexpected entry of the Houthis in Yemen and their blockade on Israel-bound shipping in the Red Sea meant increased delays, rising transport and insurance costs. Thirdly, America is also uncomfortable with 2024 being Biden’s re-election year and he faces the possibility of losing Arab American support in several key hung states. America wants this war to conclude as soon as possible. Fourthly, Netanyahu is facing revolt in his Israeli cabinet, clashing with his army Army chief of staff, and facing daily demonstrations by enraged families of the hostages calling for a ceasefire and release of their loved ones. He is losing support of the Israeli public. Fifthly, worst of all this week, Israel will attend the court hearings of the International Court of Justice in a case brought by South Africa on charges of crimes against humanity as well as genocide. If the court finds Israel guilty as expected, Netanyahu and his cabinet might be sentenced as war criminals and the subsequent damage to Israel’s international image will be tremendous.
Israel therefore wants to escalate the conflict to draw in Iran and Hezbollah as a smokescreen because the escalation will surely draw in the US and other western countries on the Israeli side. As commentators like Scott Ritter has mentioned, Netanyahu wants to ensure his own survival. He doesn’t care about Israel. Hence ISIS conveniently plays the role of stalking horse in this nefarious endeavour.
Source: Abu Umair
