American Intelligence Warns of Increased Terrorist Recruitment Amid Gaza Conflict
Bret Holmgren, Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, has issued a stern warning about the escalating conflict in Gaza, suggesting it serves as a potent recruitment tool for terrorist organizations globally. In an interview with The Washington Post, Holmgren highlighted that the October 7 Hamas attack is a pivotal event that terrorist groups are leveraging to attract new members.
Holmgren noted that the impact is already visible in Europe, citing recent arrests in Germany and the Netherlands of suspects planning attacks on Jewish sites. He expressed concerns that the ongoing U.S. support for Israel, amidst rising civilian casualties in Gaza, could further fuel anti-American sentiments and inspire individual activists.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Hospitals on the Brink
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly. The Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, the only operational hospital in southern Gaza, has ceased functioning due to a lack of fuel. This dire shortage has halted vital medical services, including ventilators and neonatal care, posing a 'catastrophic' risk to the health system, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO Director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that the health sector requires 80,000 liters of fuel daily, yet only 90,000 liters have been delivered recently. The Israeli military, controlling all entries into Gaza, has restricted fuel supplies, claiming it could be used by Palestinian fighters. This has led to severe shortages affecting hospitals, humanitarian vehicles, and essential services like water desalination.
Since the war's onset, the Israeli army has targeted Gaza's hospitals, putting many out of service and endangering the lives of patients and the wounded. The Gaza European Hospital, for instance, was evacuated following Israeli warnings. The ongoing conflict, backed by the U.S., has resulted in over 125,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly children and women, and has caused widespread destruction and famine.
