US President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza during a crucial call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. The White House emphasized Biden’s commitment to overcoming “any remaining obstacles” hindering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the escalating violence and dire humanitarian situation in the region.
The call between Biden and Netanyahu came at a critical juncture as violence in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels. Recent Israeli airstrikes, which targeted various locations across the Gaza Strip, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The strikes reportedly hit around 30 sites, including tunnels, launch sites, and an observation post. One of the targeted locations was the UN-run Salah al-Din school in Gaza City, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed was used by Hamas operatives. This strike led to at least four deaths and 15 injuries, including children, sparking condemnation from the United Nations.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted following a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has claimed over 40,000 lives in Gaza, with the majority being women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The intensity of the violence and the mounting civilian casualties have prompted urgent calls from international bodies for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
In the call, President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to defending Israel against threats from Iran and its allied militant groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. This support aligns with Washington’s broader strategy in the region and underscores its involvement in facilitating the ceasefire negotiations.
One of the main sticking points in the negotiations has been Israel’s insistence on maintaining a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area along the Gaza-Egypt border. Netanyahu’s office has reiterated that Israeli troops will remain in this area to ensure that Gaza does not pose a future security threat to Israel. This position is at odds with Hamas’s demand for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and Egypt’s opposition to the presence of Israeli troops near its border.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who recently concluded a diplomatic tour of the Middle East, confirmed that Israel had agreed to a US bridging proposal to move the ceasefire talks forward. However, Blinken did not specify whether the proposal included the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor. Netanyahu’s public insistence on maintaining the military presence has been criticized by US officials as “maximalist” and counterproductive to reaching a ceasefire.
The next round of ceasefire negotiations is scheduled to take place in Cairo this weekend, with representatives from the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar participating. While Hamas has not yet confirmed their attendance, they are reportedly receiving updates on the negotiations through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
A Hamas political bureau member criticized Netanyahu for allegedly prioritizing personal political interests over peace, claiming that Hamas had already agreed to a deal through mediators on July 2. The member suggested that Netanyahu’s recent demands were not conducive to achieving a ceasefire.
The international community, including UN officials, has called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the severe impact on civilians, especially children. The ongoing conflict continues to exacerbate an already volatile situation in the Middle East, with significant humanitarian and geopolitical implications.
As the violence persists and diplomatic efforts intensify, the need for a lasting resolution to the conflict remains critical. The international community’s focus on achieving a ceasefire and addressing the humanitarian crisis highlights the urgency of finding a peaceful solution to the Gaza conflict.
