White House Pushes for Urgent Action
U.S. President Joe Biden has emphasized the urgency of achieving a ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages in Gaza during a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The call, which also included Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighted the necessity of removing “any remaining obstacles” to an agreement with Hamas, according to the White House.
President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to support Israel against threats from Iran and its proxy groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. This conversation comes after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken completed a diplomatic tour in the Middle East, advocating for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Troop Presence and Negotiation Stalemates
The office of Prime Minister Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel’s intention to maintain a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border, even if a ceasefire deal is reached. The statement from Netanyahu’s office stressed that Israel seeks to achieve all its war objectives, including ensuring that Gaza does not pose a future security threat to Israel, which requires securing the southern border.
This issue remains a significant sticking point in negotiations. Hamas has demanded a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, while Egypt has expressed opposition to the presence of Israeli forces along its border with Gaza.
U.S. Proposal and Diplomatic Tensions
On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel had agreed to a “U.S. bridging proposal” following a three-hour meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem. However, Blinken did not confirm whether the proposal included the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor. Netanyahu’s persistent public statements on this matter have reportedly frustrated Washington officials.
A U.S. official criticized Netanyahu for making “maximalist statements” that were “not constructive” towards finalizing a ceasefire deal. New ceasefire talks are scheduled for this weekend in Cairo, involving representatives from the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar. Although Hamas has not confirmed its participation, it is believed they are being updated on the negotiations by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Hamas’ Position and Ongoing Conflict
A Hamas political bureau member stated that the group had already agreed to a deal through mediators on July 2 and thus did not see the need for further negotiations or addressing new demands from Netanyahu. Basem Naim accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his own political interests over reaching a ceasefire and claimed the Israeli leader was intent on escalating the regional conflict.
In Gaza on Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 50 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run health authorities. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported hitting around 30 targets, including tunnels, launch sites, and an observation post. One of the strikes hit the UN-run Salah al-Din school in Gaza City, which the IDF claimed was used by Hamas operatives. This strike resulted in at least four deaths and 15 injuries, as reported by the Hamas-run Civil Defence service.
International Reactions and Casualties
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, condemned the strike, stating that children were among the casualties and some were “burnt to death.” Lazzarini emphasized that “Gaza is no place for children anymore” and called for a ceasefire, describing it as “beyond overdue.”
Since the onset of the military campaign on October 7, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, the death toll in Gaza has risen significantly. Hamas-run health ministry reports indicate more than 40,223 deaths in Gaza, with the majority being women and children, according to the UN human rights office.
Cross-Border Tensions with Hezbollah
In related developments, Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement exchanged fire on Wednesday. The IDF reported hitting a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in the Bekaa Valley, which resulted in one death and 30 injuries according to the Lebanese health ministry. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli military positions in the Golan Heights, causing damage to two homes and injuring one person.
The ongoing conflict and diplomatic efforts reflect the complexities of the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle Eastern region. The international community continues to watch closely as negotiations and military actions unfold.
