In a decisive move, President Joe Biden has issued an ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding an “immediate” ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, alongside a swift agreement on a hostage deal “without delay”. This marks the United States’ strongest stance against its ally since the conflict erupted on October 7 last year. The call for action comes amidst growing international concern following Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of seven food aid workers, including a US-Canada dual citizen, in Gaza.
The ongoing offensive in Gaza has drawn criticism worldwide, with over 33,000 casualties reported. President Biden, in a direct and honest phone conversation with Netanyahu, emphasized the necessity of protecting Palestinian civilians and foreign aid workers, indicating a potential reevaluation of US support for Israel’s military actions against Hamas if these conditions are not met.
The White House has refrained from specifying the exact measures it expects from Israel or the consequences of non-compliance. However, the urgency of the situation was underscored by former President Donald Trump’s comments, who criticized Israel’s handling of the war and called for an expedited resolution to the conflict.
In response to the US’s ultimatum, Israel’s security cabinet approved measures to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, including reopening the Erez border crossing and utilizing the Ashdod port for aid transfers. Despite these efforts, the US’s commitment to Israel’s military campaign was questioned following its approval of a significant arms transfer to Israel on the same day as the tragic airstrike on World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza.
The conflict, sparked by a surprise Hamas attack on southern Israel, has led to significant loss of life and the capture of hostages by the Palestinian group. A recent abstention by the US from a UN resolution vote calling for an immediate ceasefire further strained relations between the US and Israel, with Netanyahu pledging to continue the offensive into Rafah, a move that could endanger thousands of civilians seeking refuge in the southern Gaza town.
As the international community watches closely, the ultimatum from the US represents a critical moment in the conflict, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further loss of life and to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
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