2024-05-07 03:02:22
U.S. State Department “has not yet defined the nature of Israel after controversy over anti-Semitism”>Hamas‘ response”
White House: “We need an opportunity to evaluate Israel… we are still talking”
“I do not support Rafa’s attack”… Possibility of restrictions on weapons if enforced
While Hamas announced on the 6th (local time) that it would accept the hostage release and ceasefire negotiations, the United States, which participated in the negotiations, is reviewing related details with Israel.
In response to a related question at a regular briefing on this day, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller responded, “We are discussing it with our partners in the region.”
Spokesperson Miller said he only heard Hamas’ response about 90 minutes ago and said, “I will not yet define the nature of that response.”
He avoided giving a specific answer regarding the specific negotiation plan accepted by Hamas and what the United States’ position was.
However, Miller added that reaching a ceasefire agreement is best for both Israel and Palestine and that “we will continue to work to achieve that because it will bring about an immediate ceasefire and increase humanitarian assistance.”
Previously, Hamas released a statement saying that it had conveyed its position to Qatar and Egypt that it would accept the negotiation plan. Israel has not yet issued an official response to Hamas’s acceptance of the deal.
The United States, which has been actively involved in the cease-fire negotiations, has also made no immediate response.
William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has been directly involved in the negotiations since last weekend and is currently staying in Israel.
“Israel should have an opportunity to look at this and evaluate it,” White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby explained at a briefing on the same day, adding, “Director Burns is literally talking to regional partners at this very moment.”
This means that the United States and Israel are considering what Hamas’ true intentions are and whether there are any hidden intentions.
Aide Kirby said that President Biden has also received reports and is aware of the situation.
President Biden spoke directly with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this morning, but it is said that Hamas’ announcement of acceptance of the ceasefire agreement did not come out after the call to discuss the issue directly.
Instead, Advisor Kirby explained, “We have been clear that the operation in Rafah could potentially put one million innocent citizens at greater risk, and President Biden made this clear again in this call.”
“President Biden has also made it clear that he continues to believe that reaching a hostage negotiation is the best way to avoid such an outcome (civilian casualties) while ensuring the release of hostages,” he said. “These conversations are continuing.” It was elaborate.
Earlier, Israel began evacuation procedures for the Rafah attack, claiming that Hamas was lukewarm about the release of hostages, but President Biden again expressed his opposition.
“We will not discuss the Israeli military’s operations or military intentions,” Kirby said, but added, “We have consistently made it clear that we do not support ground operations in Rafah that endanger the majority of civilians.”
As Israel has not broken its will to attack Rafah despite opposition from the United States, calls for an end to military support to Israel are growing within the United States. In fact, American media outlet Axios reported the previous day that the U.S. government suspended ammunition shipments to Israel last week.
When asked to confirm these reports, Assistant Director Kirby said, “I cannot confirm this.” He also asked whether the United States would limit or impose conditions on support if Israel goes ahead with the Rafah attack, saying, “I will not comment on hypothetical operations that have not yet occurred.”
The Biden administration has emphasized that support for Israel remains unchanged despite the tense relationship with the Netanyahu government, but it appears that there has been a change in that stance.
[워싱턴=뉴시스]
2024-05-07 03:02:22