Netanyahu Accused of Using Iran Conflict to Distract from Gaza

⁤ Updated June 21, 2025

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, critics are suggesting that israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using the conflict to divert attention from the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The accusations come amid reports of increased violence in Gaza and a potential expansion of U.S. military involvement ‍in the region.

Israel claimed Saturday ⁤it killed three top commanders in Iran’s ⁢Revolutionary Guard Corps, tho Iran has not confirmed the deaths. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has delayed a decision on direct military⁤ intervention in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Flight data indicates that U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers are being deployed to the region, according to the New York Times. These bombers could possibly carry bunker-buster bombs intended for Iran’s underground⁣ nuclear facilities, such as those in Fordo.

Concurrently, violence continues in Gaza. At least 26 Palestinians were killed Saturday by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF),⁣ including⁣ 11 at aid sites managed by the U.S.- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Al Jazeera reported.⁢ Humanitarian aid access to gaza remains severely restricted, with the⁢ Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) ⁣overseeing distribution. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 400 Palestinians have been killed at GHF sites since late May,and over 55,000 ⁤have died since the start of Israeli‍ bombardments in ⁣October 2023,which were launched in response to a ⁤Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.

the ⁣International Committee of ‍the Red Cross reports that the majority of patients ‍treated at its field hospital since the opening ‍of GHF sites sustained injuries while attempting⁤ to access aid. eyewitness accounts reported by the BBC indicate that IDF forces opened fire in most incidents,⁣ with some ⁢reports also ⁣mentioning armed gunmen.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth⁢ Warren, D-Mass., suggested Netanyahu is trying to exploit ⁤the international⁤ focus on Iran ⁣to obscure his actions in Gaza.

Israel’s Prime Minister may think no ⁣one will ‍notice what he’s doing in Gaza while he bombs Iran.

People face starvation. 55,000 killed. Aid workers and doctors turned away at the border. Shooting‍ at innocent people desperate for food.

The world sees you, Benjamin Netanyahu.

⁣ – Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren)

Journalist ⁣Samira Mohyeddin highlighted that Israel bombed the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, resulting in at⁣ least 13 deaths. “While Israel⁤ continues⁤ to try and avert the world’s eyes towards ⁤its war of distraction on Iran, its genocide pushes on ‍with ferocity in Gaza,” Mohyeddin said.

Israeli academic Shaiel Ben-Ephraim noted Netanyahu’s history of instigating conflicts to divert attention, including attacks in the West Bank, Lebanon,⁤ and Syria. ‍”Each flare-up ⁣acts as a⁣ smokescreen, pulling eyes away from the suffering and devastation happening under‍ his command,”⁢ ben-ephraim said. “Now, Iran is his⁢ latest and⁢ most effective diversion. This isn’t accidental. Its a calculated move to fracture international attention and ease ‍the pressure on him.”

Ben-Ephraim added, “Netanyahu doesn’t just need to⁤ be voted out; he should ⁣be⁢ brought to The Hague to face justice for the death and destruction he’s unleashed.”

What’s next

The coming days will be critical in determining whether the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates further, and‍ whether international pressure mounts on Israel to address the⁣ humanitarian crisis⁢ in Gaza.