United States: The United States President Mr. Joe Biden has stated that there should be a humanitarian “pause” to Israel’s war in Gaza. The statement comes as the country presses to evacuate all Americans trapped in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
“I think we need a pause,” Mr. Biden said during a campaign speech after he was interrupted by a protester who urged for an immediate ceasefire. “By the word ‘pause,’ Mr. Biden meant it was time to release the prisoners from Hamas, the group that rules Gaza,” the White House later clarified.
The US President’s comments are widely analyzed as a shift in the position of the White House, which has previously said it would not dictate how Israel conducts its military operations.
Last week, White House spokesperson Mr. John Kirby commented that “we are not drawing red lines for Israel. We are going to continue to support them.” The US was one of only 14 countries in the United Nations to vote “no” to a resolution in the General Assembly calling for a “ceasefire.”
For a long time, the US was the strongest ally of Israel, sending it billions of dollars in aid annually. To support Israel’s ongoing military offensive, Mr. Biden has asked Congress to approve a $14.3 billion military aid package for the country.
Recently. Mr. Kirby stated that he was hopeful that the US would get all Americans out of Gaza in the next few days. According to reports, about 400 US citizens in Gaza have told the State Department they want to leave the territory, and US officials are trying to help about 1,000 people get out.
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