On Thursday, United States President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via telephone to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In the conversation, Biden demanded an immediate ceasefire from Netanyahu and warned of potential consequences if Israel did not comply.
In a statement released by the White House, Biden emphasized the need for specific actions to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers in Gaza. He also urged Israel to empower its negotiators to reach a deal without delay to secure the release of captured Israelis. Additionally, Biden expressed concern about Iran’s threats against Israel.
The statement from the White House confirms a shift in U.S. policy as it echoes Hamas’s demand for a ceasefire before a potential hostage deal. This is a departure from the previous U.S. stance, which had stipulated a deal before a ceasefire.
The U.S. abstained from a recent United Nations Security Council resolution that detached a hostage deal from a ceasefire, leading to speculations about a policy change. However, the Biden administration had denied any change in policy until now.
During a press briefing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby explained that one of the factors pushing Biden towards a ceasefire was the accidental killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers in an Israeli airstrike earlier this week. This incident, along with the mounting civilian casualties, has likely influenced the U.S.’s change in approach.
The demand for a ceasefire effectively hinders Israel’s efforts to achieve its war objectives as it will now have to do so without U.S. support. Furthermore, if Israel chooses to continue military operations in Gaza, it will do so without the backing of the U.S.
Biden’s demand poses a challenge for Israel as it will be difficult to reach its war objectives without U.S. support. The two options for Israel are to continue the war without U.S. assistance or to seek a deal that secures the release of Israeli hostages. Both these options have their challenges, with the latter being more complex and time-consuming.
Hamas’s strategy of using Palestinian civilians as human shields to separate Israel from U.S. support has proven successful, as seen in Biden’s demand for a ceasefire. This also demonstrates the limitations of Israel’s military might as it cannot achieve its objectives without the support of its strongest ally.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Israel is bracing for potential attacks from Iran, one of its key adversaries. Tensions between the two countries have escalated recently after an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed two Iranian generals. Iran is known to support and fund terrorist proxies that have been launching attacks against Israel. This situation adds to the complexity of Israel’s position as it is not only facing pressure from Hamas’s aggression in Gaza but also potential retaliation from Iran.
The U.S. has been a key ally of Israel, providing military and political support for the country in times of crisis. However, Biden’s demand for an immediate ceasefire and potential consequences signal a change in the U.S.’s stance. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the conflict and Israel’s ability to achieve its war objectives.
The Palestinian reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah also adds another layer of complexity to the situation as it could potentially influence Hamas’s actions and stance in the conflict. With the conflict entering its second week, the pressure is on for a resolution that will achieve stability in the region and protect innocent civilians on both sides.
