Hamas Terror Attack on Israel: Putin's Opportunity and the Path to Conflict Escalation

Renowned expert Rebekah Koffler, author of 'Putin's Playbook,' warns that the recent terrorist attack in Israel is a 'gift' for Russia. With America's attention divided and resources potentially shifting away from Ukraine, this could be a critical turning point in the conflict.

Koffler, president of Doctrine & Strategy Consulting and former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, emphasizes that this event couldn't have come at a better time for Putin and at the worst time for Israel. She predicts Putin will seize the momentum to escalate his war on Ukraine, while Israelis pay the price for Biden's perceived incompetent foreign policy and appeasement of Iran.

The Hamas attack on Israel was devastating, causing numerous casualties and prompting Israel to declare war against the Iran-backed group. While many countries swiftly condemned the attack, major nations like China and Russia remained surprisingly silent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin eventually broke his silence, blaming the United States for the violence and labeling it as a clear example of their failed policy in the Middle East. Putin even offered to mediate between Israel and Hamas, expressing a willingness to cooperate with all constructive partners.

Rebekah Koffler explains that Putin will likely attempt to use his influence with Israel, Iran, and the Palestinian Authority to position Russia as an arbiter in the conflict. She speculates that Putin benefits from prolonging the conflict and is now intent on teaching Tel Aviv a lesson.

Israel finds itself fighting a multi-pronged war, with rockets launched from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. This comes after Israel, under pressure from the Biden administration, reluctantly agreed to provide defensive military hardware to Ukraine as a deterrent against Russia. Russia had previously warned that supplying weapons to Ukraine would make those countries legitimate targets for their armed forces.

Koffler believes that should the conflict escalate and involve more regional actors, Russia is likely to align itself with Arab nations as a means to counter U.S. influence in the Middle East. This move aligns with Qatar's stance, holding Israel solely responsible for the ongoing escalation due to violations against the Palestinian people.

As the United Nations Security Council convenes to discuss the conflict, no consensus has yet been reached on issuing a statement. The situation remains tense, with the risk of the conflict spilling over into neighboring regions.