U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday (May 19) called on Israel to make a “significant de-escalation” toward a cease-fire in its bombardment of Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, a request that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the same day. The conflict has been going on for 10 days.
Netanyahu issued a statement saying he was “determined to continue this operation until the objective is achieved. “
Netanyahu said he “greatly appreciates the support of the U.S. president,” but that Israel will continue the operation “so that you, the citizens of Israel, can restore calm and security.
As of Wednesday evening, the death toll in Gaza had reached 227, according to local health authorities, and Israeli authorities said 12 people had been lost in Israel.
Israeli artillery fire near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. (May 19, 2021)
Biden has spoken with Netanyahu four times since the conflict erupted last week. However, despite calls for a cease-fire from regional and international parties such as Biden, Israel and Gaza’s arriving Hamas opened a new wave of fire Wednesday.
The White House said Biden told Netanyahu that he “expects a significant de-escalation today on the road to a cease-fire.”
The White House declined to say how the United States would respond if Israel continues to bomb Gaza.
The White House said, “Our approach is to make sure that we do this in a quiet and intensive diplomatic way. “
On Wednesday, the Pentagon reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Gantz, the second call in two consecutive days. Austin reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself, but also “reiterated our deep concern about the loss of innocent lives,” Pentagon Press Secretary Colby said.
What we are doing is a strong deterrent,” Netanyahu told foreign correspondents. “
The Israeli leader rebutted criticism of the Israeli airstrikes. He said the Israeli army does its best to avoid civilian casualties. He said Israeli forces responded to the strikes with “extreme precision” but were unable to avoid all collateral damage.
A group of U.N. human rights experts said in a statement Tuesday that Israeli air strikes on densely populated areas of Gaza “constitute an indiscriminate and disproportionate attack on civilians and civilian property.
But the experts also accused Palestinian militants of “deliberate or reckless” rocket attacks on Israel, saying that both sides’ actions could amount to war crimes.
U.N. Secretary General Guterres tweeted Tuesday that there is tremendous human suffering in Gaza, with widespread destruction of homes and key infrastructure, and called on the international community to fund U.N. humanitarian projects in Palestinian-populated areas.
France, in coordination with Egypt and Jordan, has introduced a draft U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said, “The three countries have consensus on three essential elements: the shooting must stop; the time for a cease-fire has come; and the U.N. Security Council must address the issue.” Macron spoke Tuesday with Egyptian President Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Israel’s ally, the United States, has the right to veto Security Council resolutions as one of the five permanent members of the council. So far, the U.S. has blocked the council from issuing a statement in support of a cease-fire. U.S. officials say such statements do not help diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
“Our goal is to introduce the conflict here,” White House Press Secretary Chuckie Sharkey told reporters Tuesday. “We will be assessing the right approach day by day. Our approach at this moment means still quiet, intensive and behind-the-scenes discussions.”
The United Nations said it has been “actively engaged” in mediating to quell the violence. Meanwhile, the U.N. said its relief agencies have been able to send dozens of fuel trucks to Gaza, but no other assistance.
The U.N. General Assembly will hold an emergency session Thursday at the request of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and a group of Arab countries to discuss the situation at the United Nations. About a dozen foreign ministers will fly to the U.N. for the meeting, the first such high-level meeting held face-to-face since the outbreak of the new crown outbreak more than 14 months ago. U.N. Secretary-General Guterres has called for an immediate cease-fire. He is also expected to address the special meeting.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu said in a video released by Israel that it had dealt Hamas a “surprise blow” that had set the fund “back many years. He said Israel’s retaliation was a lesson to Israel’s enemies.
Hamas began firing rockets at Israel on May 10. Hamas says this is because Israel is trampling on Palestinian rights in Jerusalem.
Recent Comments