The White House announced that US President Joe Biden had another conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as pressure mounts on both sides to reach a deal that would bring an end to the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza. Despite global concerns and calls for a cease-fire, Israel planned to invade Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah. The US opposes the invasion on humanitarian grounds, leading to strained relations between the allies. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to return to the Middle East to address the situation.
During the call, Biden reiterated the US’s clear position on the situation in Gaza and stressed the need for progress in delivering humanitarian aid to the region. This latest call was less stark than their previous conversation this month, in which Biden had warned that future US support for Israel in the war would depend on implementing new steps to protect civilians and aid workers. However, there was no comment from Netanyahu’s office regarding the latest call. The pressure on both sides to reach a deal and bring an end to the conflict continues to grow.
A senior official from Qatar, a key intermediary, also urged both Israel and Hamas to show more commitment and seriousness in negotiations. Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ headquarters in Doha, played a crucial role, alongside the US and Egypt, in helping negotiate a brief halt to the fighting in November, resulting in the release of dozens of hostages. However, in a sign of frustration, Qatar announced this month that it was reassessing its role in the negotiations. The situation in Gaza remains dire, and the international community continues to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Calls for a cease-fire in Gaza have been growing as the conflict enters its seventh month, with more than 1 million Palestinians sheltering in the southern city of Rafah. The US has voiced its opposition to Israel’s plans to invade Rafah on humanitarian grounds, further straining relations between the two allies. The diplomatic efforts of key players, such as Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have been crucial in negotiating brief halts to the fighting and securing the release of hostages. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties involved to show more commitment to reaching a peaceful resolution.
As tensions continue to rise in Gaza, US President Joe Biden has once again spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in hopes of advancing efforts to reach a cease-fire and free Israeli hostages. The White House reiterated the US’s clear position on the conflict and emphasized the need for progress in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts and pressure on both sides to reach a deal, the situation remains complex and urgent. The international community is closely following developments and urging all parties involved to show more commitment and seriousness in negotiations for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
