Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to find a sustainable solution that addresses the legitimate concerns of Palestinians, highlighting the need for long-term peace in the region. This appeal comes as Biden faces significant criticism from human rights advocates for his administration’s military and diplomatic support of Israel during its ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has escalated to devastating proportions. In response, Israel’s military assault on Gaza has reportedly claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly the entire population, and triggered a severe hunger crisis, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Amid the international outcry, Washington announced on Thursday that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is expected to take effect on Sunday. The move is seen as a critical step toward de-escalating the violence in the decades-old conflict.
While the United States has long supported a two-state solution—proposing the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel in the West Bank and Gaza—Netanyahu has reiterated Israel’s stance on maintaining security control over all land west of the Jordan River. This position effectively rules out the possibility of a sovereign Palestinian state.
The International Court of Justice has previously deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its settlements illegal, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical tension.
Biden’s appeal underscores the challenge of balancing U.S. alliances with Israel and addressing the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the protracted conflict.
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