The United States is increasing pressure on Israel to ease its intensive bombing of the Gaza Strip. The United States has sent a group of senior diplomats to the Middle East in recent days, although Hamas has not released the hostages it has held. Israel has made the release of hostages a condition for suspending military operations.
William Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), arrived in Israel on Monday, after the Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East. David Satterfield, the Middle East envoy of US President Joe Biden, also returned to Israel to seek negotiations on a temporary cessation of Israeli attacks in order to allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
For Washington, this diplomatic activity requires a delicate balance between supporting its closest ally in the region, Israel, in its goal of destroying Hamas and alleviating the humanitarian crisis. The humanitarian crisis may undermine the stability of neighboring Arab countries that are also allies of the United States. Few US presidents have supported Israel in war like Biden, but recent public opinion polls show that his stance has weakened his support in the Democratic foundation.
Some US officials feel that Israel will eventually agree to a ceasefire, but this may take a few days or weeks, which disheartens Washington's Arab partners, who are concerned that the longer the conflict lasts, the greater the risk of affecting their country.
The United States pleads with Israel that it has a moral responsibility to suspend the fighting when humanitarian aid, especially fuel, is delivered to those in urgent need in the Gaza Strip. US officials say Israel still insists on considering a ceasefire only if all hostages are released.
Transporting fuel to the southern part of Gaza may be considered, but the two governments are still discussing terms and logistics issues; Israel has stated that Hamas militants may use fuel for their own purposes.
Related reports:
The United States plans to transfer $320 million in weapons to Israel, while the death toll in Gaza continues to rise
Biden and Netanyahu discuss the possibility of tactical pauses
Iranian President to Attend Saudi Summit to Discuss the Israeli-Kazakhstan War
Israel intensifies bombing efforts, and doctors say more than 500 dead have been taken to a hospital in Gaza City
Iraq calls on all countries to exert pressure on Israel to avoid the expansion of the war scale
Iranian President Says the United States is an accomplice to the Gaza Massacre
The death toll of United Nations staff caused by the Israeli Gaza War has reached a new high in single conflict history