Tamer Qarmout, Assistant Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, says while it is “clear” that the US has given Israel the green light to continue its offensive in the Gaza Strip, Israel still has the upper hand, Al Jazeera reports.

“They do coordinate with the Americans, but they have their own plan; the Americans talk the talk, but we haven’t seen them using any real pressure to stop the Israelis or to reduce the suffering of the Palestinians. They come up with statements, but we don’t see any real pressure or threat coming to the Israelis,” Qarmout told Al Jazeera.

“If it’s sincere, they [the US] could have a serious talk with the Israelis and stop them or make some corrections, but we don’t see this really happening,” he said.

Qarmout added that he “fears the worst” in the latest surge of Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip since the truce deal ended, especially as Israel’s military campaign is now focused on the south, which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians moved to for safety.