“We need a break”: Biden sparks controversy over Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza The Houthis declare war on Israel: who is the group armed to the teeth?

Israel responded with extreme irritation on Thursday to the American president’s request to stop the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet, said of the Hamas terrorists: “We will hunt them day and night, in their cities and in their beds.” The advance of the Israeli forces therefore continues. A Hamas spokesman had previously indicated that his organization was sticking to its goal of destroying the Jewish state. “We must teach Israel a lesson and we will do so again and again.”

Biden made his wish Wednesday evening as he spoke to Democratic Party patrons in Minneapolis, Minnesota, about his work in the White House. However, the statement came spontaneously when a Jewish activist interrupted the president and called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.

However, Biden did not want to go that far. His response was: “I think we need a break.” A temporary cessation of hostilities would allow “the prisoners” to leave the Gaza Strip, the president said – with Biden allegedly referring to the Hamas hostages by “prisoners,” as a White House spokesperson later clarified.

Biden went on to say that the situation in the Middle East was “incredibly complicated,” not only from Israel’s perspective, but also from the Islamic world’s perspective. The president said he continued to support a two-state solution, but also emphasized that Hamas is a terrorist organization. (The group has been blacklisted by the US Department of State since 1997.)

‘Ceasefire’ and ‘pause’ are not the same

The White House’s call for a temporary halt to fighting in Gaza is not new; What is new, however, is that Biden is also talking about it publicly. So far, he has left it to his subordinates to call for a “humanitarian pause” – although his advisers have always emphasized that they are not calling for a ceasefire or a truce.

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained the difference between these terms during an appearance in the Senate. A “truce,” Blinken said, would give Hamas time to regroup and plan a repeat of the Oct. 7 bloodshed. “And that is unbearable.” However, a lull in the fighting could make it easier to provide aid to the civilian population. And the departure of wounded, stranded foreigners (including many American citizens) and Hamas hostages.

“We are working very, very hard” to bring about a temporary cessation of hostilities, White House security spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. However, in previous statements, Kirby had also stressed that all warring parties would have to adhere to a “humanitarian pause” before it could come into effect.

The pressure on Biden is increasing, also within his party

These statements are being carefully considered because the White House does not want to give the impression that Biden is dissatisfied with the Israeli government. Internally, as has also been heard in Washington in recent days, Biden and his advisers were already discussing the period after the end of the fighting in the Gaza Strip. In the future, foreign soldiers could occupy the Mediterranean coast and ensure order. (A White House spokeswoman, however, immediately emphasized that sending U.S. troops to the Gaza Strip was not under discussion.)

Biden also faces domestic criticism over his pro-Israel course. The left wing of his Democratic Party calls for more distance from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and for more compassion for the civilian population in Gaza. Voters with roots in the Arab region have already announced that they will no longer support Biden in the upcoming presidential elections if he does not immediately correct the course of his government. (aargauerzeitung.ch)