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After a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden issued his first statement expressing his support for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant ruler of Gaza.
However, the President of the United States did not stop calling for the immediate cessation of the eight-day Israeli air strikes and the Hamas rocket barrage. Killed more than 200 people, The vast majority of them are Palestinians.
The White House said after a speech: “The President reiterated his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself from indiscriminate rocket attacks.” The White House said after a conference call that this was the second time in three days for the leaders of the two countries. Realize this again.
“He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. The leaders of the two countries discussed the progress made by Israel’s military operations against Israel. Hamas And other terrorist organizations in Gaza. The President expressed his support for the ceasefire and discussed US contacts with Egypt and other partners for this purpose. “
Israel Report cites military officers It is recommended that the Israeli army want to continue military operations for another day or two before withdrawing. Netanyahu told Israeli security officials late Monday that Israel will “continue to fight terrorist targets in Gaza as long as necessary to restore calm and safety to all Israeli citizens.”
At the same time, the United States prevented the UN Security Council from passing a joint statement for the third time in a week, calling for an end to Israeli-Palestinian violence. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States has shifted its focus to “quiet, intensive diplomacy.”
Secretary of State Anthony Brinken said in a speech in Denmark on Monday that if Israel and Hamas express interest in ending hostilities, the United States is willing to help, but the United States has not requested this.
Blinken said: “In the end, it should be up to the parties to clearly express their desire to reach a ceasefire.” He pointed out that this is “a big world, and we do have a responsibility.”
The most recent outbreak began in East Jerusalem last month, when Israeli police suppressed Palestinian settlers during Ramadan and Jewish settlers threatened to deport Palestinian families.Last week, the Israeli police injured hundreds of Palestinians in protests, and the personnel were wearing riot suits. Tensions erupted. Rush into the Al-Aqsa Mosque -The third holy place of Islam.
Hamas then began firing rockets into Jerusalem, triggering Israeli opposition Gaza. Gaza Since the hostilities began last week, health officials have set the death toll in Palestine at 212, including 61 children and 36 women. Ten people were killed in Israel, including two children.
A US government official familiar with Monday’s conference call told The Associated Press that the decision to request a ceasefire was intentional. The official, who asked not to be named, said that Biden and senior aides were concerned about the increase in bloodshed and innocent lives, but the wording of the statement reflected the White House’s determination to support Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas.
Biden has been facing increasing pressure from his party to take a tougher line against Israel and demand an immediate ceasefire.Some Democrats expressed indignation Washington Post report The government has approved the sale of precision-guided bombs worth 735 million U.S. dollars to Israel.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said in a statement: “With our support, the United States should not stand by when crimes against humanity are committed.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined dozens of Democrats, a Republican and independent Senator Bernie Sanders on Monday to call for a ceasefire. Another well-known Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, pressured the United States for more participation last weekend.
On Monday night, General Mark Millley, the top US military official, warned that the violence could spread.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Millley, told reporters before arriving in Brussels on Monday to meet with NATO allies: “My assessment is that if the fighting continues, you will face greater turbulence and may face a series of negative consequences. There is no interest in continuing to fight.”
In the past week, Israel has launched attacks Destroyed a health clinicAttacked the home of a rescuer, killed two doctors, destroyed high-rise residential towers, and blew up a mattress factory, Flattened the offices of international news organizations.
Israel said the strike was aimed at militants. Hamas, the Islamic organization that rules the zone, stationed its fighters in civilian areas and fired rockets at them. Ten people in Israel, including two children, were killed by militants who have launched more than 3,000 rockets in the past week.
Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Al-Hissi, who has long served as the mediator between Israel and Hamas, said Monday that a ceasefire may be achieved. “I still hope that collective action can end the conflict,” he said Tell reporter.
On Monday, the Israeli army said that it Lebanese In response, rockets from neighboring countries failed to hit the Jewish state.
The Army said in a statement: “Six failed launch attempts were found from Lebanon, but none of them entered Israeli territory.” “The artillery fired at the launch source.”
Lebanese military sources told AFP that three “gradient rockets” were fired at Israel from near the border. This is the second time a rocket has been fired from Lebanese territory to Israel since the recent outbreak of hostilities.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said it was stepping up patrols after detecting a rocket launch in the Rashaya Al Foukhar area north of Kafachob in southern Lebanon. Unifil added on Twitter that the situation in the area is now calm and that the head of its mission is still in contact with all parties to ensure stability.
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