US President Biden Hopes for Israel-Gaza War Ceasefire Deal by Start of Ramadan
As tensions continue to escalate in the Israel-Gaza conflict, US President Joe Biden has expressed his hopes for a ceasefire deal to be reached by the start of Ramadan. The Muslim holy month, known for its fasting from dawn to sunset, is set to begin on either March 10 or 11. When asked about the possibility of a deal by then, President Biden stated, “I’m hoping so. We’re still working real hard on it.”
The negotiations for a ceasefire have been fraught with challenges, and pressure is mounting on President Biden to intervene and help bring an end to the violence. According to a source close to the talks, a proposed deal would entail a 40-day pause in all military operations starting from the beginning of Ramadan. Additionally, there would be an increased flow of aid into Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels.
One aspect of the potential deal that has garnered attention is the agreement for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages. The ratio proposed is 10 to one, highlighting the delicate nature of the negotiations. However, it is important to note that the exact start of Ramadan can vary depending on the sighting of the crescent Moon in different locations.
Calls for immediate action to alleviate the dire situation in Gaza have intensified following a tragic incident where over 100 people were killed during a stampede while trying to access aid lorries delivering food. Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, accused Israel of firing at civilians, while Israel claimed that most casualties occurred due to the stampede after warning shots were fired.
In response to this devastating event, President Biden announced plans to airdrop aid into Gaza, acknowledging the suffering of innocent people caught in the midst of a terrible war. He stated, “And you saw the response when they tried to get aid. But we need to do more, and the United States will do more.” However, aid groups have criticized the airdrops as costly and insufficient in addressing the urgent needs of the population.
Oxfam, a prominent charity group, expressed its disapproval of the US airdrops, stating that they would only serve to alleviate the guilty consciences of senior US officials. The group emphasized that dropping a symbolic amount of aid without a comprehensive plan for safe distribution would not effectively help the Palestinians and would be demeaning to them. Instead, Oxfam called for efforts to cut the flow of weapons to Israel and focus on addressing the root causes of the crisis.
The United Nations has also weighed in on the issue, with UN agency chief Philippe Lazzarini highlighting that airdrops are an expensive last-resort measure and not a sustainable solution. He emphasized the need to open the crossings and facilitate the entry of convoys and medical assistance into Gaza.
While the US continues to explore various avenues for delivering aid, other countries have taken action. Jordanian air force pilots recently dropped 33 tonnes of medical supplies and food into Gaza, with support from the US, UK, France, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. These joint efforts aim to provide immediate relief to the suffering population.
The Israel-Gaza conflict erupted after Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the UK, and other nations, carried out attacks that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel. They also took 253 individuals as hostages back to Gaza. The Israeli military responded with a large-scale air and ground campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas.
As negotiations for a ceasefire continue, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that will bring an end to the violence and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President Biden’s commitment to finding a deal before the start of Ramadan demonstrates the urgency and importance of reaching a peaceful resolution.