(DailyChive.com) – President Joe Biden has issued a strong demand to the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza. This move suggests a potential shift in U.S. policy toward the ongoing conflict. In a direct phone call between the two leaders, Biden emphasized the urgency of ending the conflicts and warned of possible repercussions if Israel does not comply.
The White House released a statement outlining the key points of the conversation. President Biden stressed the unacceptable nature of strikes on humanitarian workers and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. He called on Israel to take specific steps to alleviate humanitarian suffering, ensure that aid workers are safe, and address civilian harm. Importantly, Biden stated that America’s policy toward Gaza would depend on Israel’s immediate action on these fronts.
Central to Biden’s message was the insistence on an immediate cease-fire to stabilize the situation and ensure protections for civilians. He urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to authorize negotiators to quickly reach a deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Additionally, the leaders discussed public threats from Iran against Israel, with Biden reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Israel in the face of such threats.
The statement from the White House suggests a significant shift in U.S. policy, aligning with Hamas’s demand for a cease-fire preceding any hostage deal—a departure from previous agreements that linked a cease-fire to a deal.
In a press conference, John Kirby, White House spokesman for national security, refrained from detailing potential consequences if Israel fails to meet Biden’s demands. However, he pointed to the mistaken killing of seven World Central Kitchen workers in an airstrike as a pivotal factor influencing Biden’s stance. This incident seemingly pushed Biden, who had previously resisted calls for a cease-fire, to demand immediate action to end the violence.
The outcomes of Biden’s demand are significant. Israel may now face challenges in achieving its war objectives without U.S. support. Whether pursuing Hamas in Rafah or negotiating a deal for the return of hostages, Israel will encounter hurdles without the U.S. backing for continued anti-Hamas actions in Gaza.
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