RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The recent Israeli airstrikes at Rafah in the Gaza Strip have resulted in a reported death of 13 individuals. This follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to accept Hamas’ proposed ceasefire terms and delves further into an expanded offensive throughout southern Gaza.
In response to this crisis, President Joe Biden strongly criticized Israel’s military actions within the region as excessive. Through vigorous diplomacy efforts, he continues his pursuit for both Israel and Hamas to concede to a prolonged suspension of hostilities.
Biden clarified these sentiments during a press interaction held last Thursday evening after addressing remarks on a special counsel report focused on his handling of classified documents:
“I remain consistent with my perspective that the extent of responses portrayed within the Gaza Strip has been disproportionately intense.”
Facing considerable political pressure, Biden is battling challenges tied to potential voting frictions. Particularly from members of the Arab American community who typically express disapproval towards what they perceive as overt U.S. support for Israel’s engagement in the ongoing conflict happening within Gaza. In cognizance of such concerns, Biden dispatched representatives on Thursday aimed at encouraging outreach activities targeting Detroit suburbs – home to America’s most extensive concentration of Arab Americans.
The recent offensive strike resulted in at least 13 casualties, including two females and five children as confirmed by the Kuwaiti Hospital which was responsible for receiving the bodies. At one of the disastrous sites, local inhabitants utilized mobile phone flashlights while searching through garbage using basic tools and physical labor.
Israel persists in its air and ground attacks, now persisting into their fourth month — representing some of the most disastrous actions seen in recent times. The destruction subsequently has resulted in approximately 27,000 Palestinian deaths; facilitating mass evacuation from residences and pushing a significant portion (one-quarter) of citizens towards famine-like conditions.
Netanyahu continues to announce that these offensives will not only remain but broaden until achieving claimed ‘total victory’ against Hamas—originally instigating conflict through comprehensive strikes against southern Israel that commenced back on October 7th when militants reportedly killed approximately 1,200 individuals mainly consisting of non-combat civilians along with taking hostage roughly around the estimated count of 250 persons.
President Biden has energetically suggested extending periods of empty fighting battle to expedite liberations concerning remaining hostages where temporary suspensions primarily allowed especially women and children’s release yet even today an approximation exceeding hundred remain under captivity underscored by Israel’s commitment toward reclaiming them
Controversially, Hamas demands to end war alongside a large-scale liberation initiative potentially releasing hundreds of Palestinians held prisoner serving currently as part of subsequent hostage negotiations whereas PM Benjamin Netanyahu distinctly expresses unwillingness to concede aforementioned terms.
According to Biden, there is still hope for an agreement that might open the way for the war’s end.
Biden said, “I am pushing very hard right now to deal with this hostage cease-fire.” “I’ve been putting a lot of effort into this deal.”
As Hamas resurfaces in some areas of northern Gaza, the first target of the offensive and the scene of widespread destruction, Israel’s objectives seem more and more difficult. While Hamas claims more hostages have been killed in airstrikes or unsuccessful rescue attempts, Israel has only managed to free one imprisoned.
