In a significant development, US President Joe Biden has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas, as the White House’s frustrations over the continuation of the war in Gaza continue to grow.
The two leaders, whose relationship has been strained by the conflict, spoke on Thursday in a phone call that was seen as a crucial moment in the efforts to bring an end to the nearly 10-month-old war. While Biden pledged to support Israel against renewed threats from Iran and allied militias such as Hezbollah, he was clear in his message to Netanyahu: it’s time to bring an end to the fighting.
“We have the basis for a cease-fire,” Biden told reporters after the call. “He should move on it and they should move on it now.” The US President’s words were seen as a clear indication of the growing frustration within the White House over the continuation of the war, which has caused huge political divisions in the US and has had devastating consequences for the people of Gaza.
The war, which began in August last year, has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, and has left thousands more injured and homeless. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the already fragile economy of Gaza, with many businesses forced to close and thousands of people left without work.
Despite the provision of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel, the Biden administration has struggled to influence Netanyahu’s war strategy, which has been widely criticized by human rights groups and international organizations. The Israeli Prime Minister has been accused of using disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians and of failing to take adequate steps to protect them from harm.
The assassination in Iran this week of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas and a key negotiator for the group, has further complicated the situation. Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for the killing, which Israel has neither confirmed nor denied. Privately, Israeli officials have not pushed back against the claim, leading many to speculate that Israel was indeed responsible.
Biden’s efforts to bring an end to the war are seen as a key part of his legacy as President, and he is keen to use his last months in office to achieve a cease-fire. However, with Netanyahu showing no signs of backing down, it remains to be seen whether the US President’s efforts will be successful.
The Palestinian leadership has welcomed Biden’s call for a cease-fire, with a spokesperson for President Mahmoud Abbas saying that it was a “positive step” towards bringing an end to the conflict. However, the spokesperson also emphasized the need for concrete action to be taken to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to ensure that any cease-fire is sustainable and long-lasting.
In Gaza, residents are cautiously optimistic about the prospect of a cease-fire, but many are also skeptical about the ability of the international community to enforce it. “We’ve heard it all before,” said one resident of Gaza City. “We need action, not words. We need the international community to take concrete steps to hold Israel accountable and to protect us from harm.”
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the need for a cease-fire has never been more urgent. With Biden’s call to Netanyahu, there is a glimmer of hope that an end to the conflict may be in sight. However, with the Israeli Prime Minister showing no signs of backing down, it remains to be seen whether the US President’s efforts will be enough to bring an end to the war.
In the meantime, the people of Gaza continue to suffer, and the international community must do more to support them. As one resident of Gaza said, “We’re not just statistics or news headlines. We’re human beings, deserving of dignity and respect. We need the international community to stand with us and to demand an end to this senseless war.”
