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| Image Source: Al-Jazeera |
The United States is increasing pressure on Israel to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza, urging its ally to shift towards a "lower intensity" approach against Hamas.
President Joe Biden emphasized the need for Israel to focus on
saving civilian lives while continuing to target Hamas. This comes as National
Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet on transitioning to more targeted
military operations in Gaza.
Sullivan and Netanyahu explored objectives, phases, and conditions for moving from high-intensity operations to lower-intensity surgical actions against Hamas remnants. While the White House stated that Sullivan discussed the possibility of transitioning to "lower-intensity operations" soon, no specific timeframe was provided.
The Biden administration aims to see an end to the
conflict promptly, placing responsibility on Hamas to cease hostilities.
White House
spokesman John Kirby emphasized the potential for a shift in Israel's military
campaign, noting the ongoing discussions about its next phase. Sullivan's visit
to Israel, which includes meetings with top officials, reveals growing
divisions between Biden and Netanyahu regarding the death toll in Gaza and the
war's duration.
Biden's recent
criticism of Israel's "indiscriminate bombing" and Netanyahu's
insistence on continuing the war until Hamas is eradicated highlight the
differing perspectives. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen pledged to persist in the
fight, irrespective of international support. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
suggested that the war might extend for more than several months.
The conflict
has resulted in a significant death toll in Gaza, with Palestinian officials
reporting over 18,787 casualties, including more than 7,700 children. Israeli
officials claim that 1,147 people, mainly civilians, were killed in Hamas's
October 7 attacks on southern Israel. The United Nations General Assembly
recently passed a nonbinding resolution, supported by 153 countries, calling for
an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. However, the U.S. was among the 10
nations voting against it.
Initial Hardline Support for Israel:
At the
beginning of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the U.S., under President Joe
Biden, took a robust stance in support of Israel.
This included
urging Israel to defend itself against attacks from Hamas and expressing
solidarity with its right to protect its citizens.
Emphasis on Israel's Security:
The initial
U.S. position focused on Israel's security concerns, acknowledging its right to
conduct military operations against Hamas.
The narrative
primarily centered on Israel's right to self-defense without significant
emphasis on the potential impact on civilian populations in Gaza.
Recent Softening of Tone:
A noticeable
shift has occurred in the U.S. stance, with President Biden expressing concern
for civilian lives in Gaza.
The emphasis
now is on urging Israel to exercise caution and minimize civilian casualties
while maintaining its military campaign against Hamas.
Diplomatic Nuances:
National
Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's visit to Israel signifies a diplomatic
approach, engaging in discussions with Israeli leaders on transitioning to more
targeted military operations.
The nuanced
discussions include setting objectives, phasing, and conditions for a shift
from high-intensity operations to lower-intensity, surgical actions.
Balancing Security and Humanitarian Concerns:
The evolving
U.S. position reflects an attempt to strike a balance between supporting
Israel's security needs and expressing concerns about the humanitarian impact
on civilians in Gaza.
President
Biden's call for Israel to be "more careful" indicates a diplomatic
recalibration in the face of growing international attention to civilian
casualties.
Divergence from Initial Rhetoric:
The recent
comments by President Biden mark a departure from the earlier rhetoric that
primarily focused on Israel's right to self-defense without explicit
considerations for civilian casualties.
The shift
suggests an acknowledgment of the complexity of the situation and a recognition
of the human cost involved.
International Pressure and UN Resolution:
The adoption of
a nonbinding resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, calling for an
immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, indicates a broader international
concern for civilian lives.
The U.S., along
with 10 other nations, voting against the resolution, underscores a nuanced
approach that aligns with Israel's security needs while also recognizing the
importance of addressing humanitarian issues.
Future Diplomatic Landscape:
The evolving
U.S. stance opens the door for potential diplomatic developments, with the
focus shifting towards finding a resolution that considers both security
imperatives and the protection of civilian lives.
The coming days
may see further adjustments in the U.S. position as diplomatic efforts
intensify to navigate the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)
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