WASHINGTON. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after facing over a week of pressure from the United States for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza, has hinted at the possibility of implementing only “little pauses” in the military campaign against the militant group Hamas. This comes as President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken made concerted efforts to rally support for limited relief for civilians caught in the ongoing conflict.
While the U.S. focuses on preventing a larger regional conflict and advocating for temporary humanitarian breaks in the fighting, it remains firmly in support of Israel’s goal to end Hamas control over Gaza. However, no comprehensive cease-fire seems imminent, with Netanyahu stipulating the release of hostages as a condition for any broader truce. The death toll in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry, has risen to 10,000, intensifying international scrutiny on the situation.
President Biden’s recent conversation with Netanyahu, following an eight-day gap, reiterated the need for short-term pauses in the conflict to allow civilians to evacuate and humanitarian aid to reach those in need. The National Security Council emphasizes that the conversation is the beginning of ongoing discussions.
Subsequently, Netanyahu, in an interview with ABC News, ruled out a general cease-fire but showed willingness to consider “little pauses.” The scope of these pauses and their agreement with the U.S. remain unclear. Netanyahu stressed that any comprehensive cease-fire in Gaza would require the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a whirlwind diplomatic tour, visiting Israel, Jordan, the occupied West Bank, Cyprus, Iraq, and Turkey to garner support for the U.S.’s proposed humanitarian initiatives. CIA Director William Burns also engaged with intelligence partners and regional leaders to reinforce intelligence cooperation and discuss counterterrorism efforts.
The situation on the ground remains tense, with Israeli forces encircling Gaza City and cutting off the northern part of the territory. Troops are poised to enter the city, where they are expected to face militants using a network of tunnels in street-to-street combat. Casualties are anticipated to rise on both sides.
Despite the mounting civilian toll, the U.S. remains committed to supporting Israel. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that Hamas initiated the conflict with an incursion into Israel on October 7, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
The U.S. is actively engaging with Israel to reduce civilian casualties and enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid. Secretary Blinken believes that implementing pauses in the war would facilitate humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the release of over 200 hostages held by Hamas while averting the escalation of the conflict across the region.
In parallel, there have been protests and demonstrations in various parts of the world against Israel’s tactics and U.S. support. Several countries have recalled their ambassadors to Israel, and international opinion appears to be shifting away from sympathy towards Israel.
Secretary Blinken is now set to visit Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and India, where the Gaza conflict will likely be a prominent topic alongside other international crises.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
