President Zelensky worries that conflict in Israel will 'distract' international attention

“There is a risk that international attention will shift away from Ukraine, and that will have major consequences,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told France 2.

Previously, on October 9, President Zelensky said he had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to affirm "Ukraine's solidarity with Israel".

This concern of the Ukrainian leader has also been pointed out by observers. Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson said that President Zelensky is extremely worried.

“Israel’s stockpile has been depleted in part because the US asked it to send 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine. And now Israel is asking for the return of those shells, asking for their stockpile to be replenished, asking for additional missiles for Iron Dome. And in fact, specifically Patriot missiles. So Israel’s needs will be at the forefront of the US,” said former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, who said that there is a possibility that this war could spiral out of control if Hezbollah decides to get involved.

Before Ukraine, Israel was one of the countries that received the most aid from the US. In 2022 alone, the US provided more than $3 billion in aid to its ally Israel in the Middle East.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has lasted four days, killing at least 1,600 people, including more than 900 Israelis and 700 Palestinians. In addition, up to 3,900 people have been injured and hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes to take refuge in UN-run schools.