
US pledges $30M for Gaza relief
Shafaq News – Washington
The United States has committed $30 million in new humanitarian aid for Gaza and is calling on international partners to expand support for the war-torn enclave.
Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the funding during a press briefing, stating the aid would be directed to the Gaza Relief Foundation, which has so far delivered over 46 million meals to civilians.
Pigott decried what he described as 'unbelievable looting' in the territory and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to establishing secure aid channels that ensure assistance reaches civilians while safeguarding Israeli security interests.
The announcement comes as Gaza endures severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, following sustained Israeli bombardment and blockade.
Alongside direct assistance, the US is pressing allied governments to scale up contributions and bolster non-governmental partners operating on the ground.

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A Decades-Long Shadow War Escalates The recent escalation is rooted in a decades-long, undeclared conflict between Iran and Israel. What began as a "cold peace" in the aftermath of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw the ousting of the pro-Western Shah, gradually transformed into open hostility. Iran's rejection of Israel's legitimacy and its support for regional proxy groups, notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and various factions in Syria, Gaza, and Yemen, solidified its "Axis of Resistance." In response, Israel, viewing Iran's nuclear program and regional influence as an existential threat, adopted a more aggressive posture. This strategic rivalry has manifested through covert operations, assassinations of nuclear scientists and military figures, cyberattacks, and targeted airstrikes. The immediate trigger for this recent 12-day confrontation, which began on June 13th, 2025, remains a subject of intense debate, but it undeniably marked a significant escalation beyond the typical "shadow war" into direct, overt military action. This period saw Israel launching extensive strikes targeting what it claimed were Iranian nuclear facilities and missile production sites, while Iran retaliated with its own ballistic missile and drone attacks. The US, a key ally of Israel, also engaged in strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, raising the stakes and highlighting the global dimensions of this regional rivalry. Unfulfilled Ambitions and Strategic Divergence The announced ceasefire has been met with a mix of cautious acceptance and profound skepticism across various stakeholder groups, each driven by their own perceived gains and losses, and their long-term strategic objectives. From Lebanon, Qassem Qasir, a seasoned political writer, emphasized that the ceasefire "cannot be considered the end of the war." He articulated that Israel's publicly stated goals focused on dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure and missile capabilities. However, Qasir pointed to a more ambitious, unstated objective, "the overthrow of the regime in Iran," citing the unprecedented scale of apprehended spy networks as compelling evidence of this deeper agenda, suggesting that these networks played a crucial role in enabling the targeting of missile and drone launches. 'This reflects a pervasive belief that Israel views the very existence of the current Iranian regime as an impediment to regional stability and its own long-term security.' Dr. Munqith Dagher, the head of the Independent Institute of Administration and Civil Society Studies (IIACSS), asserted that the "conflict has not ended; it is still ongoing because neither party (Iran or Israel) feels they have achieved their goals yet, especially Israel." Dagher posited that Israel perceives the current situation as a "golden opportunity" – a fleeting window not just for neutralizing Iran's nuclear program, but for pursuing the far more ambitious goal of "attempting to topple the regime." Consequently, Dagher anticipates that even if the ceasefire holds militarily, the broader "war" will persist through non-conventional means, including intensified "intelligence, political, and economic" warfare, with the looming threat of renewed military escalation. 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Furthermore, Al-Faili underlined the deep-seated grievances driving the two sides, "both parties to the conflict seek revenge; Iran will not forget the assassination of its leaders, and Israel does not want to maintain any nuclear or missile program, but rather to eliminate the Iranian regime to prevent any obstacles to the Abraham Project, which represents Israel's continuity in the region." A Strategic Crossroads for Iran The consensus among analysts is that the ceasefire, rather than concluding the conflict, has merely ushered in a new, more complex phase of strategic maneuvering. For Iran, this period presents a critical crossroads, forcing a re-evaluation of its long-term strategy in the face of unprecedented pressure. 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This period will likely be characterized by: -Sustained Non-Military Warfare: Expect intensified intelligence operations, cyber warfare, political pressure campaigns, and economic sanctions. These will be the primary tools of engagement, aiming to achieve objectives that direct military force could not, or could not sustain. -Persistent Violations and Accusations: The inherent fragility of the truce, coupled with the unresolved objectives of both sides, guarantees a cycle of accusations and counter-accusations regarding violations, potentially leading to limited, retaliatory strikes. The "Lebanese scenario" of an unstable border and frequent breaches may well become the norm for the Israeli-Iranian dynamic. -Heightened Regional Instability: The conflict has demonstrated the willingness of major powers to engage directly in the region. This increases the risk of broader regional conflagration, particularly if Iran's proxies are further weakened or if it feels compelled to take more aggressive retaliatory action. -Re-evaluation of Deterrence: For Iran, the impact on its nuclear and missile programs, as perceived by some analysts, will necessitate a re-evaluation of its deterrence strategy and its reliance on regional proxies. -Economic Consequences: Beyond the immediate military and human costs (about 650 Iranian deaths and 5332 injured, alongside 28 Israeli deaths reported as of June 24th), the protracted uncertainty and potential for renewed conflict will continue to deter investment, disrupt trade routes, and impact energy markets, with significant economic ramifications for the entire Middle East. In brief, the deep-seated animosities, unfulfilled strategic objectives, and the involvement of global powers suggest a protracted period of instability rather than a genuine resolution. 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