“This is a time of war, there will be no ceasefire in Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this on the 30th of last month (local time), resolutely rejecting the international community’s request for a ceasefire. As civilian casualties continued to increase due to the Israeli military’s ground operations in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, the United Nations requested a humanitarian ceasefire through an emergency general meeting resolution on the 27th of last month, but made it clear that it would not accept this. As the White House also added its strength, saying, “I do not think a ceasefire is the answer,” Israel is accelerating its takeover of the Gaza Strip. Accordingly, Hamas and Hezbollah are also increasing their offensive against Israel. In addition, tensions in the Middle East are further increasing as Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, attack Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement that day, “Just as the United States did not agree to a ceasefire after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Israel also does not agree to a ceasefire with Hamas.” “It is a demand to surrender,” he claimed. At a press conference held in Tel Aviv, he also urged support from the international community as it was Israel’s “justifiable defense” against Hamas’ preemptive attack. John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the White House National Security Council (NSC), also said at a press briefing, “I don’t think a ceasefire is the right answer right now. “If the attack is stopped during the operation to eliminate Hamas leadership, only Hamas will benefit,” he said.
Israel, which reaffirmed the support of the United States, increased its ground forces on this day and is engaged in combat by establishing a position on the outskirts of Gaza City, the central city of the Gaza Strip. According to the BBC and Reuters, there is speculation that the Israeli military’s siege of Gaza City is imminent, as there have been reports that Israeli tanks have been stationed on Salah al-Din, the main road that runs across the Gaza Strip from north to south, and have blocked the road.
The Israeli military announced on the 7th of last month that it had rescued Private Ori Megidish, a female soldier who had been kidnapped by Hamas during its first surprise attack, during a ground operation the previous day. Besides the hostages released through negotiations, this is the first hostage that Israel has rescued on its own during this war. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that this was a result of military operations, saying, “We are moving forward step by step, expanding entry into the Gaza Strip step by step.” Among Israeli leaders, the hard-line argument that more pressure must be placed on Hamas to release the hostages is expected to gain further momentum.
On this day, Hamas began to sway public opinion in Israel by having three female hostages appear on its own broadcast channel. These women said on the air, “I want to go home,” and “Prime Minister Netanyahu is not coming to save us,” demanding that the Israeli authorities agree to negotiate the release of the hostages.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, an armed group supported by Iran, attacked Saudi Arabia about a year and a half after the ceasefire, increasing tensions in the Middle East. According to Bloomberg News, four Saudi soldiers were killed in an attack by Houthi rebels. This is the first casualty since the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels in April last year. This incident occurred after the U.S. Navy intercepted a cruise missile launched by Houthi rebels toward Israel on the 19th of last month. One of these missiles was intercepted by Saudi forces, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.
With Saudi Arabia on high alert, the United States promised to defend its friendly country, Saudi Arabia. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said after meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, who visited Washington on this day, that he “confirmed President Biden’s promise to defend America’s partners from threats from countries and organizations supported by Iran.”
Behind-the-scenes negotiations over the release of hostages mediated by Qatar are also continuing. U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken said after a phone call with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister that day, “I once again expressed my gratitude for the Qatari government’s efforts to secure the departure of U.S. citizens and foreigners.”
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.