Biden directly urges Netanyahu to accept a truce and promises defensive US military support for Israel

Post by : Elena Malik

US President Joe Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas, as tensions escalate over the ongoing Gaza conflict. The call highlights growing frustration from the White House over the prolonged war, now nearing ten months.

During their conversation on Thursday, Biden was blunt with Netanyahu, urging him to pursue a truce. Despite Biden's commitment to supporting Israel against threats from Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, he emphasized the need for immediate action. “We have the basis for a cease-fire,” Biden stated. “He should move on it and they should move on it now.”

The situation has been further complicated by the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Iran. This event has exacerbated tensions, with Iran and Hamas blaming Israel for the killing, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement. The assassination has not been helpful in resolving the conflict, according to Biden.

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Biden is making a concerted effort in the final months of his presidency to bring the conflict to a close, despite the significant political divisions it has stirred in the US. His administration has been providing substantial military aid to Israel, yet Netanyahu's administration remains committed to continuing the war until Hamas is thoroughly defeated. While Israel claims to have killed approximately half of Hamas' fighters, the group has managed to regroup in some areas. The Israeli national security minister has indicated that a complete defeat of Hamas may not be achievable before the end of the year.

Netanyahu has also rejected claims from US, American, and Arab officials that Israel has not done enough to provide aid to civilians in Gaza, much of which is in ruins.

Negotiations for a truce, mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have been protracted. The proposed plan, outlined by Biden in May, involves an initial six-week halt in fighting, with the release of some hostages and Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Subsequent stages would involve further hostage releases and potentially a permanent end to the conflict.

However, significant obstacles remain. One major issue is Israel’s reluctance to agree to any truce that might limit its ability to resume the conflict if Hamas does not surrender.

The death of Haniyeh has added to the chaos in the region, coming shortly after Israel targeted and killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut. Shukr was reportedly responsible for a recent rocket attack on the Golan Heights that resulted in the deaths of 12 children and teenagers.

In response, Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation against Israel. Iran has ordered its security forces to evaluate options for attacking Israel. Past exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel have been significant, with Iran launching drones and missiles at Israel in April in response to an alleged Israeli strike on a Syrian consulate. This time, retaliation could be more intense due to the perceived humiliation of Haniyeh’s assassination.

The conflict's impact extends beyond the Middle East, affecting global markets. Oil prices have surged since Wednesday, and Israel's shekel is facing its worst week in over four years.

Netanyahu assured earlier Thursday that Israel is prepared for any scenario, stating that the country will impose severe consequences for any aggression against it.

Biden’s call to Netanyahu included a promise of “new defensive US military deployments,” though specifics were not detailed in the White House’s statement. Biden also stressed the importance of efforts to de-escalate broader regional tensions.

The US has been actively warning Iran, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthis not to escalate the situation further.

The conflict began on October 7, when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken. Israel's subsequent military action in Gaza has led to around 40,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Hamas' health ministry.

Hamas and Hezbollah are part of Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance,’ a coalition of anti-Israel and anti-US militias in the Middle East, with both groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US

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