Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledges failure to reach agreement with Biden on Gaza
In an admission that could indicate the difficulty of finding a resolution to the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he and President Biden have not reached an agreement on the future of the region. However, he expressed appreciation for U.S. support in their efforts to crush Hamas and free the more than 100 hostages still held by the militants.
Netanyahu stated that the U.S. provided full support for a military operation to curb international pressure to end the war. However, he indicated that there is a disagreement when it comes to ‘the day after Hamas’ and the long-running conflict with Palestinians. President Biden commented on the Israeli government stating that it is the most conservative in Israel’s history and is starting to lose international support, adding that Netanyahu has to strengthen and change his government.
Biden made it clear that the Biden administration opposes reoccupying the territory of Gaza, while Netanyahu insists that Israel must maintain security control of Gaza for an indefinite time after driving Hamas out of power. The differences in foreign policy between the two leaders underline the ongoing conflict in the region and the difficulties achieving a peaceful resolution.
The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with Israeli airstrikes killing more people and injuring a significant number of both Palestinians and Israeli soldiers. The U.N. General Assembly has voted on a resolution calling for a cease-fire, with no member country having veto power in the General Assembly. Additionally, efforts from the international community, such as the decision of German-based athletic shoe and apparel maker Puma to end its sponsorship of Israel’s national soccer team, is contributing to the pressure of ending the conflict.
The conflict has claimed a significant number of lives, with recent revelations from the Israeli military indicating that at least 1,645 soldiers have been injured, and the death toll has surpassed 100. In response to the ongoing crisis, the President of Harvard University, Claudine Gay, will keep her job amidst criticisms of her response to antisemitism on the campus since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Furthermore, the ongoing crisis has a human cost, with the shocking and tragic story of hostages, such as Yocheved Lifshitz, who was recently freed from captivity in Gaza, warning about the dire conditions faced by the captives. Zara’s recent ad campaign depicting an image similar to the war in Gaza was met with backlash, and the company subsequently removed the photos amid the controversy.
The Gaza war continues to have a profound impact, with increased pressure from the international community to end the conflict and challenges finding a resolution that will benefit both Israelis and Palestinians.