In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the White House is advocating for several temporary halts to the fighting.
These pauses would allow for the provision of aid and the safe evacuation of civilians from the war-torn region.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, suggested that these temporary cessations could potentially facilitate the release of hostages. As of Friday, Israel reported that Hamas was holding 241 hostages.
However, Netanyahu was firm in his stance, stating that he would not consent to a ceasefire without the liberation of the hostages. "We see this as a way of further facilitating the ability to get assistance in . . .to the people who need it," Blinken said. "We see it as a way also, and very importantly, of creating a better environment in which hostages can be released."
Despite this, Blinken acknowledged that a pause in the conflict would not necessarily guarantee the hostages' freedom. "There are no guarantees about anything as a general proposition, and maybe even more specifically in context of the fight against Hamas," Blinken said. He was joined on his trip by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew, who was confirmed to his post on Tuesday.
The concept of multiple pauses was first introduced by National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Thursday. This marked the first time the Biden administration has called for multiple pauses in the conflict. Kirby noted that a previous pause agreed upon by Israel last month resulted in the release of two hostages.
The White House hopes that multiple pauses could create conditions conducive to further releases. It was also disclosed that since Wednesday, at least 79 American dual citizens have crossed into Egypt from Gaza.
Despite international pressure, the U.S. has so far resisted calls for a ceasefire, with Kirby arguing that it would only benefit Hamas. "We believe that a general ceasefire would benefit Hamas in providing them breathing space and time to continue to plot and execute attacks on . . . on the Israeli people," Kirby said.
Netanyahu echoed this sentiment on Friday, rejecting international requests for a humanitarian ceasefire. "Israel refuses a temporary ceasefire that does not include the return of our hostages," Netanyahu stated in a televised address.
Blinken also dismissed calls for a ceasefire, reiterating U.S. support for Israel. "We stand strongly with and behind Israel in its right and obligation to defend itself, defend its people and take the steps necessary to try to ensure that this never happens again," Blinken said.
In related news, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Friday that they had killed a Hamas commander, Mustafa Dalul, in an overnight airstrike in Gaza. The IDF stated that Dalul had played a "central part in managing the combat against IDF troops in the Gaza Strip," and had held several positions within the Hamas battalion in recent years.
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