Even after Sinwar's death, Israel's 'river drive'...Trump Electing Variables

[Anchor]
Israel has not stopped its offensive against Hamas and Hezbollah since it recently removed No. 1 Hamas leader Shinwar, and has also carried out retaliatory airstrikes against Iran.

It seems to be a move with various calculations, including the U.S. presidential election and Netanyahu's domestic political position, and if Trump is elected, it could be an inflection point for the Middle East war.

Reporter Cho Soo-hyun reports.

[Reporter]
On the 16th, Israel made it clear that it would continue the war after removing Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

[Benyamin Netanyahu / Prime Minister of Israel (last 17): Sinwar's assassination will mark a major milestone in the decline of Hamas's evil rule. Hamas will no longer be able to rule Gaza.]

Israel is eager to launch an offensive against Hamas, while also destroying Hezbollah's base.

The government has launched airstrikes on three financial institutions in Lebanon linked to Hezbollah and tried to squeeze money.

Analysts say that Netanyahu's approval rating, which has been in a political crisis, has recently risen amid such a war situation, and he may have judged that it is advantageous to continue the war rather than end it.

CNN noted that Netanyahu's approval rating has improved since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October last year, but it is still difficult to be sure of winning the general election.

In addition, there is an observation that there is a possibility of maximum pressure in preparation for the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.

Netanyahu, who has a close relationship with former President Trump, is a paving stone in mind for the possibility of switching to ceasefire negotiations when Trump is re-elected.

[Park Won-gon / Ewha Womans University Professor: If Trump is elected, there will be a situation in which the Middle East war has to be sorted out in any form, so there seems to be a judgment that he will make maximum offensive against it and create an advantageous situation when negotiating later....]

In the meantime, the U.S. government is stepping up diplomatic efforts to mediate the ceasefire, saying that Israel's military operation cannot be prolonged, but it is unclear whether progress will be made with the presidential election just around the corner.

I'm Jo Suhyun of YTN.



Video editing: Lim Hyun-chul