Biden Asks Israel For ‘Tactical Pause’ In War On Gaza

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The United States President, Joe Biden, has asked Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a pause in fighting in Gaza.

 

A White House spokesperson previously said the two leaders discussed the potential for “tactical pauses” in fighting in Gaza for humanitarian reasons and possible hostage releases during their conversation on Monday.

There had been calls for a ceasefire. In October. The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce. But Israel and the US had rejected the calls.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday called on Israel not to reoccupy Gaza once its war with Hamas ends.

Speaking to reporters after G7 foreign ministers held talks in Japan, Blinken listed what he said were “key elements” to create “durable peace and security.”

“The United States believes key elements should include: no forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, not now, not after the war; No use of Gaza as a platform for terrorism or other violent attacks; No reoccupation of Gaza after the conflict ends,” Blinken told reporters.

He added that other conditions included no “attempt to blockade or besiege Gaza” or any “reduction in the territory of Gaza.”

In a joint statement, signatories including the UN human rights commissioner, Volker Turk; Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization and the UN aid chief, Martin Griffiths, said: “Enough is enough.”

“This must stop now. Civilians and the infrastructure they rely on – including hospitals, shelters, and schools – must be protected. More aid – food, water, medicine, and of course fuel – must enter Gaza safely, swiftly, and at the scale needed, and must reach people in need, especially women and children, wherever they are.”

Also, the Nigeria Senate on Tuesday urged the Nigerian government to work with the United Nations and other countries of the world to ensure immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Palestine war.

It also urged the federal government to press for a two-state solution to end the conflict, in which thousands, including women, children, and aid workers had been killed.