Israel
is seeking to form an “
Abraham Alliance
” with the United States and the United Kingdom, aiming to establish a
Nato-like accord
to counter threats from Iran and its allies. This initiative follows a coordinated defense in April, during which
Israeli air defenses
, supported by the US and other allies, repelled an Iranian missile and drone attack.
The current situation has heightened tensions, with fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East as Iran threatens retaliation for the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a political leader of Hamas.
Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant stressed the need for a coalition to defend against Iran’s proxies, highlighting recent security developments in talks with his American and British counterparts, Lloyd Austin and John Healey. Gallant said, “Meeting with senior leaders across the region, including today in Israel, we urged all sides to show restraint and dial down the tension at this critical moment.” The discussions come amidst concerns of spillover from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which has persisted for nearly ten months.
The Pentagon has indicated that the US is prepared to bolster its presence in the region, with defence secretary Austin stating, “We certainly will help defend Israel if attacked.” President Joe Biden has assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of additional US military deployments, while also urging a cease-fire in Gaza to mitigate the humanitarian crisis.
The potential for escalation is high, with Iran’s options ranging from direct attacks on Israel to increased aggression by its regional proxies. This follows the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and the subsequent assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran. While Israel has not explicitly claimed responsibility for these killings, it has not denied involvement either.
President Biden, in a statement, emphasising the importance of a cease-fire said, “Meeting with senior leaders across the region, including today in Israel, we urged all sides to show restraint and dial down the tension at this critical moment.” The President has struggled to influence Netanyahu’s war strategy, seeking to pressure him publicly and privately but stopping short of leveraging the billions of dollars in US military aid.
UK defence secretary John Healey also called for restraint and urged the need for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian aid for Gaza. Despite international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, Netanyahu continues to focus on the existential threat posed by Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis in Yemen, all of which are part of the so-called Axis of Resistance.
The proposed “Abraham Alliance” could serve as a strategic framework for regional security, potentially including both military and diplomatic efforts to contain Iran’s influence and prevent further escalation.