President Biden Calls for Humanitarian "Pause" in Israel's Gaza Offensive

 President Biden Calls for Humanitarian "Pause" in Israel's Gaza Offensive

In a significant shift from Washington's previous stance, President Joe Biden has expressed support for a humanitarian "pause" in Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. This change comes as the United States intensifies its efforts to evacuate American citizens trapped in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

During a campaign speech on Wednesday, President Biden, interrupted by a protester calling for an immediate ceasefire, stated, "I think we need a pause." When asked to clarify what this "pause" entails, Biden elaborated, saying, "It's time to get the prisoners out," specifically referring to those held by Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza.

This statement represents a notable change in the White House's position, which had previously asserted it would not prescribe how Israel should conduct its military operations. White House spokesperson John Kirby, just last week, emphasized that the U.S. would not set "red lines" for Israel and would continue its support.

On Friday, the United States was one of only 14 nations to vote against a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a "ceasefire." The U.S. has long been a staunch ally of Israel, providing billions of dollars in annual aid. In light of the current situation, President Biden has requested Congress to approve a substantial $14.3 billion military aid package to Israel to bolster its ongoing military offensive.

Growing international pressure, particularly from human rights activists, world leaders, and progressive members of his own Democratic Party, has urged President Biden to act in restraining Israel's relentless attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in a tragic toll, with over 8,800 casualties, including 3,500 children.

Notably, Biden has faced mounting backlash from Arab Americans, a significant constituency within the Democratic Party, due to his unwavering support for Israel throughout the conflict. Recent surveys conducted by the Arab American Institute (AAI) think tank indicate that Biden's approval among Arab Americans has plummeted to a mere 17 percent.

During his speech, President Biden acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting, "This is incredibly complicated for the Israelis. It's incredibly complicated for the Muslim world as well. I supported a two-state solution, I have from the very beginning."

Simultaneously, the U.S. administration has been actively working to secure the safe evacuation of American citizens trapped in Gaza, as well as addressing the post-conflict situation. Notably, hundreds of American citizens have started leaving Gaza via Egypt's Rafah border crossing as part of an Egypt-mediated agreement to facilitate the safe passage of the wounded and foreign nationals.

White House spokesperson Kirby expressed optimism that all U.S. citizens in Gaza would be evacuated within the next few days. Approximately 400 U.S. citizens have indicated their desire to leave Gaza, with U.S. officials making concerted efforts to assist approximately 1,000 individuals in their evacuation.

This shift in rhetoric from President Biden coincides with a flurry of diplomatic activities by the U.S. in the region. This includes the confirmation of a new ambassador to Israel and an upcoming visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Jordan and Israel.

Biden's newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, will soon assume his role, tasked with supporting U.S. efforts to establish conditions for a humanitarian pause to address the deteriorating situation for Palestinian civilians. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Lew highlighted that his primary concern is "Israel's struggle for security" and ensuring that Israel has the necessary resources for self-defense.

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Secretary Blinken's visit to Jordan and Israel, scheduled for Friday, will focus on enhancing the delivery of humanitarian aid and minimizing casualties. The U.S. will continue to support Israel's right to self-defense under international humanitarian law while emphasizing the importance of taking all necessary precautions to prevent civilian casualties and delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance.

President Biden's call for a humanitarian "pause" demonstrates an evolving approach to the conflict in Gaza and a commitment to safeguarding civilian lives amid intensifying international pressure and the need to evacuate U.S. citizens. The situation continues to evolve, with diplomatic efforts playing a crucial role in finding a resolution to the ongoing crisis.