Who’s Secretly Behind Israel’s Power? Unpacking the Influence, Alliances, and Tensions

The ongoing crisis in Gaza and the wider Middle East has captured global headlines, raising a crucial question: Who’s secretly behind Israel’s power? To understand the roots and resilience of this influence, we’ll break down the conflict’s background, military alliances, financial networks, and international reactions. Let’s take a direct look at the factors driving Israel’s sustained strength on the world stage.

Israel-Palestine Conflict: Background and Current Situation

The struggle between Israelis and Palestinians runs deep. This isn’t just a modern dispute—its roots stem back before either state took form. For decades, Palestinians have been pushed into increasingly small sections of land. Today, most of Gaza’s roughly two million residents are confined to the Gaza Strip, an area spanning only 360 square kilometers.

The Gaza Strip is bordered by Egypt to the south, Israel on two sides, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Its isolation is so extreme that many global observers refer to it as the world’s largest open-air prison. Leaving Gaza is nearly impossible, and entry is tightly controlled. Supplies trickle in only with Israel’s permission, limiting basic human needs.

Want more depth on the conflict’s origins? Check out this detailed summary of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Gaza Under Hamas Control

In recent years, the political and militant group Hamas has governed Gaza. In October 2023, Hamas launched a barrage of rockets into Israel, igniting an even broader military response.

The effects on everyday people in Gaza have been nothing short of catastrophic:

• Over 42,000 civilians killed, with children and women suffering the brunt.
• Thousands of injuries so severe they defy simple counting.
• Millions displaced, their homes now piles of rubble and dust.

Life in Gaza has become a struggle for survival, even as Israel argues that its campaign targets only militant threats. But it’s hard to accept that such a large share of casualties are truly combatants, especially when considering Gaza’s total population.

Broader Military Actions Beyond Gaza

Recent Israeli attacks haven’t stopped at Gaza’s border. Strikes have also hit Yemen and Lebanon, rapidly escalating tension across the region. During the 27th September 2024 United Nations General Assembly, more than half the attending diplomats walked out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage—a clear demonstration of global protest against Israel’s bombings in Gaza and Lebanon.

Dangerous new fronts have opened. In one chilling incident on October 1, 2024, Iran fired 200 ballistic missiles at Israel from over 1,800 kilometers away. Even after this massive show of force, Israel’s attempts to curb Iran proved ineffective.

For a concise tracker of ongoing developments, visit the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Global Conflict Tracker.

Hezbollah and Lebanon: New Fronts in the Conflict

Who is Hezbollah?

To understand the North’s volatility, we need to look at Hezbollah. Born out of Lebanon’s brutal 1980s civil war, Hezbollah formed as a Shia militia determined to oust Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. Over decades, it’s evolved into a political powerhouse, holding seats in government and building a formidable armed wing.

Experts now believe that Hezbollah rivals—if not surpasses—the official Lebanese army in terms of power, thanks in part to deep support from Iran.

Explore a full breakdown in What Is Hezbollah?

Hezbollah’s Role and Influence

Hezbollah isn’t acting alone. The group maintains a close relationship with Hamas, providing supplies and expertise to help Palestinians inside Gaza. After the latest outbreak of violence, Hezbollah has publicly committed to defending the Palestinian cause—focusing its power on Israel’s northern border.

Constant skirmishes between Israeli and Hezbollah forces have become routine, but the latest conflict has turned even more severe.

Recent Escalation: Pager Attacks and Airstrikes

Events reached a fever pitch on September 17th and 18th, 2024, when more than 3,000 pager and radio devices exploded almost simultaneously in Lebanon—a tactic linked to Hezbollah and detailed in this video explaining the Pager Attacks.

Following these blasts, Israel launched immediate airstrikes into southern Lebanon, forcing thousands to flee their homes. During these operations, it’s reported that Hezbollah’s commander Hassan Nasrallah was killed. Tensions have since remained dangerously high along the Israel-Lebanon border.

To trace the history of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, visit the timeline on Al Jazeera.

International Reactions and Humanitarian Support

Global Criticism of Israel’s Actions

As civilian casualties mount, the world’s leading nations haven’t stayed quiet. They’ve repeatedly called out Israel over its bombings in Gaza and the escalating violence in Lebanon and Yemen.

South Africa took a bold step by filing a complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza. This case has put even more focus on the humanitarian crisis unfolding on the ground.

Aid Announced for Gaza

While criticism grows, so do announcements of international aid—particularly from the United States:

• March 7, 2024: US President Joe Biden promised the construction of a military port to facilitate aid into Gaza.
• September 30, 2024: The US announced $53 million in emergency assistance for Palestinians in Gaza.

These efforts have been echoed by other global powers, but the basic situation inside Gaza continues to worsen. Aid announcements sound positive, but on the ground, desperate shortages of food, shelter, and medical care remain.

UN Security Council and US Veto Power

Three times in the past year, the United Nations Security Council has put forward resolutions calling for a ceasefire. Each time, the US exercised its veto power to block these measures from taking effect—even after publicly encouraging peace.

This contradiction has led to widespread frustration. The US presents itself as a peace broker, but its actions often support only one side.

The United States’ Role in Supporting Israel

Understanding who’s secretly behind Israel’s power requires a clear look at the United States’ role.

Military and Financial Support

Since 2019, at least 69% of Israel’s weapons imports have come from the US. The US also provides $3.8 billion annually in direct military aid to Israel. The bulk of this funding supports Israel’s air defense, precision missiles, and other advanced weaponry.

For a data-driven overview, see U.S. Security Assistance to Israel and U.S. Aid to Israel in Four Charts.

Political Lobbying: Power Behind the Scenes

But financial support is only one side of the story. Factors run even deeper into the heart of American politics.

Christian Zionism and Pro-Israel Groups

A significant portion of the US population practices Christian Zionism—the belief that Israel’s existence fulfills biblical prophecy. The largest organization for Christian Zionists, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), boasts 10 million members, many with political clout.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

Enter AIPAC, the most influential pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington, DC. AIPAC works openly, legally, and with full transparency to push pro-Israel policies in Congress.

• Lobbying is legal in the US as long as activities and funding are public.
• AIPAC supports candidates with millions of dollars, with a success rate of 98% in elections.
• The group helps defeat candidates critical of Israel and ensures continuing Congressional support on military aid, weapons sales, and Middle East policy.

Political Influence in Action

A recent example of lobbying power: On April 24, 2024, South Africa’s ICC case placed pressure on Israeli leaders. Within days, 12 US Senators sent a threatening letter to ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan warning of sanctions if arrest warrants were issued against Israeli officials. The overlap with pro-Israel donor lists is clear, tracked and public.

These lobbying efforts directly shape American strategies, tying Congress to Israel’s goals and limiting outside oversight. The United States’ vetoes at the UN, swift aid authorizations, and public rebukes of critics all follow this pattern.

Economic Ties: Israel Bonds and US Investments

What Are Israel Bonds?

Like most governments, Israel raises money by selling bonds that offer annual returns to buyers. The twist here is the purchase of Israel Bonds by US states and municipalities, funneling public funds directly into Israeli government coffers.

Rapid Approval and Growing Investments

In August 2023, Israel’s representatives contacted the Ohio State Treasurer to sell $5 million in bonds. Approval came in just 40 minutes—a nearly unheard-of speed for a government investment.

Since renewed fighting began, other American states and local governments have followed suit, purchasing at least $1.7 billion in Israeli bonds. This massive influx of public money strengthens Israel’s finances, helping fuel continued operations.

Geopolitical Context: Why Does the US Support Israel?

Strategic Importance in the Middle East and South Asia

The US maintains deep-rooted interests across the Middle East, partly because of long-standing rivalry with Iran and its military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. Israel stands alone as a consistent American ally—a partnership that offers intelligence, military support, and regional influence.

The Two-State Solution Deadlock

Many Arab nations and international bodies keep pushing for a two-state solution to give Palestinians their own country. Israel, however, refuses to accept such terms. This deadlock perpetuates instability and makes a peaceful settlement more elusive than ever.

For a closer historical perspective, see this video exploring the roots of the Palestine issue.

Conclusion

Unraveling the question of Who’s Secretly Behind Israel’s Power? leads us through a network of military aid, political lobbying, financial ties, and strategic alliances. The US government’s role is central—both in direct funding and in shaping global policy through its powerful lobbies and vetoes. Yet the answer isn’t just about money or politics. Religious beliefs, geopolitical strategy, investment networks, and historical ties all converge to give Israel its unique position on the world stage.

The consequences, though, continue to fall hardest on everyday people—especially in Gaza, Lebanon, and other conflict zones. As world powers debate, millions remain caught in the crossfire, longing for safety and peace.

For those seeking more, keep exploring reputable sources and ask tough questions. Only by understanding all layers of this crisis can the world move closer to lasting solutions.