Biden Urges for a ‘Sustained Period of Calm’ Between Israel and Hamas
Biden pushes for a ‘sustained period of calm’ between Israel and Hamas
President Joe Biden said the U.S. is working on a deal between Israel and Hamas to free hostages and pause fighting in Gaza for six weeks.
Negotiations continued Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt, for the second day as multiple countries attempted to forge a diplomatic agreement for a pause in the fighting in Gaza and the release of hostages.
Challenges to Reaching a Resolution
The meetings were extended from Tuesday, when leaders from the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar did not reach a breakthrough but agreed to continue “consultation and coordination,” according to Reuters.
Among the main issues preventing a deal is Israel’s pledge to crush Hamas and remain in charge of security in Gaza after the war and Hamas’ demands for a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the war-torn territory.
The negotiations are happening ahead of an expected Israeli military offensive in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where 1.4 million people have crowded in search of safety from the war. Israel says the operation is necessary to dismantle Hamas’ last stronghold, while humanitarian organizations, including the U.N., warn an invasion of the city would be disastrous.
The Dire Humanitarian Situation in Rafah
President Joe Biden on Sunday cautioned Israel not to invade Rafah unless there’s a plan that ensures the safety of civilians packed in the city, which had a prewar population of roughly 280,000.
In the days since, Israel has launched deadly airstrikes on Rafah under the pretext of hostage rescue missions, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians. Civilians in the densely populated city have already begun to flee.
Developments:
- More than 28,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages, triggering the war.
- The Israeli military said it “located and struck” Hamas infrastructure, including tunnel shafts, in an operation that resulted in the deaths of at least 10 militants.
Heightened Tensions on the Israel-Lebanon Border
The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes in Lebanon in response to a rocket attack that targeted northern Israel, leaving at least one person dead and eight others injured.
Israeli fighter jets targeted several Hezbollah facilities, including military compounds and operational control rooms. Although Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for the attack, these airstrikes reflect the ongoing military tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Fears for the Safety of a Hospital and its Personnel
The Israeli military has called for the evacuation of the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, the last operational hospital in that region, claiming that Hamas continues to conduct military activities and use the facility to hold hostages. However, the World Health Organization has lost contact with the hospital’s personnel and has urged for its protection, emphasizing the crucial role it plays in the southern Gaza health system.
If Israel’s invasion of Rafah prompts waves of Palestinians to flee to Egypt, reports suggest that Egypt would suspend the Camp David Accords peace treaty of the late 1970s.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Rafah
Humanitarian aid groups have raised concerns about the lack of safe havens for the civilians seeking shelter in Rafah, as much of the territory, including Gaza City and Khan Younis, has already been destroyed. Access to aid and medical facilities continues to be impeded, exacerbating the severe hunger and suffering of the population.
Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts and negotiations, the situation in Gaza remains extremely volatile and uncertain.
