“White House Challenges Israel: Pause the Bombing and Change Your Strategy
On Sunday, The White House pressed Israel to change its military strategy during the 12-hour pause in bombing in Gaza, aimed at allowing a humanitarian aid on the region.
The United States, which is one of Israel’s most strategic allies, said that the change in strategy is necessary to achieve a lasting peace in the region. A delegation of White House aides that visited Israel last week urged the government to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
The decision to ask Israel to change its strategy was backed by President Joe Biden, who has been an unwavering supporter of the country. In a statement, the White House said that Biden believes in a “more nuanced strategy” that takes into account the regional dynamics.
The delegation that visited Israel included representatives from the US State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency and other officials. They had meetings with senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The discussions had focused on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential for a cease-fire.
The White House officials had also urged Israel to open its border crossing to the Gaza Strip, which has been largely closed for years. The border closure has been a major source of economic and political isolation for the Palestinians.
The White House also sought to reiterate its support for Israel during the conflict. In the statement, it said that the United States had “reaffirmed its strong commitment to Israel’s security and its right to self-defense”.
After the 12-hour pause, the Israeli military resumed its operations in Gaza, in what is now the longest-lasting military conflict in over a decade. This has prompted the United Nations to call for a negotiated political settlement to the conflict.
The White House statement acknowledged that it would be difficult to achieve a lasting peace in the region without good-faith effort from both sides. It suggested that both sides should make concessions and strive for a middle-ground solution that would be respectful and balanced.
The US president and his aides are hopeful that the diplomatic mission will lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Middle East. Only time will tell if Israel will adhere to the White House’s advice and adopt a new strategy.