BIDEN CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION IN ISRAEL-PALESTINE SITUATION, CEASEFIRE COULD BE REACHED WITHIN TWO DAYS
The United States, Israel’s top ally, released a statement seeking a ceasefire and de-escalation in the violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict. White House released the statement saying: "The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire."
According to a senior Israeli official and two others, the two sides could enter an agreement to stop fighting within two days. Wall Street Journal and some other Israeli sources reported that the ceasefire agreement could be reached as soon as Friday.
The proposed cease-fire will be implemented in phases. The first will be an end to all Israeli attacks on Hamas assets and buildings, and to end all efforts by Israel to kill senior Hamas members. On the other hand, Hamas will put an end to any missile attacks on Israeli towns. Israel also wants Hamas to stop digging attack tunnels into Israel and stop violent protests along the Gaza-Israel border. Following the implementation of a cease-fire, the resolution promises to include later stages, such as the recovery of the bodies of two soldiers held by Hamas and two Israeli civilians arrested by the group. Israel will allow goods and funds into Gaza in exchange, according to the officials, who wished not to be named as negotiations are still underway.
Netanyahu had previously said that airstrikes on the Gaza Strip will continue, ignoring Biden's demands that he end the war, which has resulted in the deaths of over 200 civilians. He said in a statement that he was “determined to continue this operation until its goal is achieved -- to restore quiet and security to you, the citizens of Israel.” But with the continuous pressing urges of the United States, an agreement could be reached within two days.
Israel-Palestine conflict which started on may 10, 2021, has seen a series of violence with rocket attacks and airstrike on Gaza claiming lives of many civilians. In Palestine, aerial bombardments killed 227 civilians, destroying bridges, buildings, and other facilities and worsening Gaza's already critical humanitarian situation. In Israel, where repeated rocket attacks have sparked chaos and driven residents running into shelters, the death toll has been set at 12.