US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that Israel has agreed not to conduct military activities in the Gaza Strip during the month of Ramadan.
Biden warned that Israel risks losing support from the rest of the world as Palestinian casualties continue to rise in large numbers.
In an interview with NBC, Biden added that Israel has committed to allowing Palestinians to evacuate from Rafah in southern Gaza before intensifying its campaign there to destroy Hamas.
Biden pointed out that there is an agreement in principle on a ceasefire between the sides during the release of detainees held by Hamas.
He said, “Ramadan is approaching, and there was an agreement among the Israelis not to carry out any activities during the month of Ramadan, to give ourselves time to release all the hostages.”
The U.S. President continued, saying that a temporary ceasefire could help towards a two-state solution and normalization with Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, Biden expressed hope of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza by next week, March 4th.
Internationally, the situation drew varied responses. The United States, under President Joe Biden, and the United Kingdom, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, initially opposed calls for a ceasefire, with the U.S. prioritizing the release of hostages before engaging in talks. This stance was echoed by other leaders, such as Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz. However, as global calls for a ceasefire grew, both Israel and the United States found themselves increasingly isolated on the international stage.
In contrast, a wide array of international leaders, organizations, and bodies voiced strong support for an immediate ceasefire. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a truce, which was supported by 121 votes, with notable opposition from 14 countries, including Israel and the U.S. Prominent leaders from various countries, including Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, and China’s President Xi Jinping, among others, called for an immediate halt to the hostilities, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state. The African Union, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi were among those advocating for a ceasefire, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the need for a resolution to the conflict.
