IntelBrief: Dangerous Escalation in Gaza Imperils Civilians, Risks Global Ramifications

Bottom Line Up Front

• While the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, one small glimmer of hope appeared yesterday when, as part of a deal mediated by Qatar and the United States, and agreed to by Egypt, Israel, and Hamas, 81 wounded Palestinians and as many as 500 foreign passport holders would be allowed to cross into Egypt this week.
• Hezbollah is a wild card in the conflict, with a Friday speech planned by its leader potentially indicative of whether the group will become more directly involved in the conflict.
• FBI Director Christopher Wray told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that the Hamas-Israel conflict could inspire violent extremists and lone actors to attempt attacks on U.S. soil.
• Given the political dysfunction in Washington, there is growing concern that the U.S. is ill-prepared to respond to an escalation in the Middle East, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and great power competition with near peers such as China.