Biden Advocates Humanitarian Pause Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

During a recent impromptu address, President of the United States Joe Biden expressed his stance on what has become a point of incessant contention worldwide – the Israel-Hamas conflict. Having his campaign speech momentarily disrupted by a protestor advocating a cease-fire, Biden echoed the sentiment as he proposed a humanitarian “pause.” This seemed like a pivot from his prior approach, given that up till now, the President and his top aides had refrained from regulating Israel’s course of action against the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

Despite such neutrality, Biden has been under increasing pressure from various factions – human rights agencies, global leaders, and progressive allies from his very own Democratic Party. Garrulous voices advocating a cease-fire have decried the Israeli assault on Gaza, branding it a collective punishment.

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Through his words, Biden sought to bring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into alignment with the escalating need for a brief ceasefire. He indicated that Palestinians deserved a respite from the relentless military onslaught that had plunged the 141-square-mile strip into a grave humanitarian crisis, claiming several lives in the process.

While the White House has stopped short of a direct call for ceasefire, it has dropped hints for Israel to consider humanitarian pauses. These would allow civilians to receive essential aid and enable foreigners stuck in the zone to evacuate from Gaza. Despite the ongoing turmoil, the Israeli military has reported advance near Gaza City, leading to significant encounters with militants.

Meanwhile, Israelis have allowed hundreds of foreign nationals and gravely injured Palestinians to exit Gaza, following an extensive three-week-long siege. The initial evacuees from Gaza, apart from a small group that included four hostages released by Hamas and another rescued by Israeli forces, sought refuge in Egypt. This exodus occurred under challenging conditions – continuous bombings displacing scores of people, and supplies of food, water, and fuel dwindling.

The White House has shared that soon-to-be-arriving Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, would be partly responsible for supporting U.S. initiatives creating conditions for a humanitarian pause. His role carries immense significance as he addresses growing concerns over the deteriorating conditions for Palestinian civilians.

Countering external voices urging additional aid for Gaza, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, remained firm in his stand. He highlighted the increase in humanitarian supplies into Gaza in areas away from Hamas. The supplies, encompassing water and other essentials, were expected to double shortly. Regarding foreigners evacuating Gaza, he expressed satisfaction, maintaining that no intervention was required in the humanitarian relief process.

In a public address, where he outlined his motivations for the presidential run, Biden experienced another interruption. A woman, identifying herself as a rabbi, implored him to call for a cease-fire, emphasizing Jewish welfare. This incident took place against a backdrop of demonstrative protests featuring over a thousand participants.

While acknowledging the sentiments of the protester, Biden re-emphasized his push for a pause that would allow for the evacuation of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid. His stance championed a delicate balance, supporting a two-state solution whilst acknowledging Hamas as a terrorist organization. He reiterated his dedication to humanitarian aid, claiming credit for persuading both Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to permit aid into Gaza. His words, “I’m the guy”, implied his stature as a significant humanitarian influencer in the ongoing crisis.