10/23/2023 7:33 am, updated 10/23/2023 7:34 am
The United States (US) and some European countries want to delay Israel’s incursions into the Gaza Strip while negotiations over the hostage crisis and the delivery of humanitarian aid continue. However, there was no official demand, just military advice.
Joe Biden’s administration also wants to step up preparations for possible US involvement in the Middle East conflict, which involves several groups linked to Iran. The information comes from the New York Times, citing strategic and military sources.
The land invasion would have been ruled out, according to the newspaper’s sources, and the main reason would be negotiations for the release of hostages, which would be conducted through Qatar. Around 50 people who were kidnapped with dual citizenship were released.
The military also reportedly said that the Americans prefer to delay land incursions to “avoid the impression that Washington is controlling Israel’s actions” which could involve the country directly in the conflict.
1/10 Relief supplies sent by the Pakistani government to Palestinians are at El Arish International Airport and can be sent through the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. ▲United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres inspects UAE relief supplies at El Arish International Airport, before his visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip ▲António Guterres, UN SecretaryGeneral, speaks during a press conference in front of the Rafah border crossing ▲Smoke over Gaza City ▲AlAbba Mosque after bombing ▲Al Nuseirat Bakery after bombing ▲Entrance of AlAhli Arab Hospital after bombing ▲12345678910
USA and European countries with the same goal
The Times of Israel portal confirmed with an Israeli diplomat last week that North American and European countries were pressuring the country to suspend the ground operation in the hope of negotiating the release of more hostages. In principle, the demand would not be to finally call off the invasion, but at least to wait it out.
This is because Washington fully supports Israel’s goal of destroying Hamas.
The Times of Israel interviewed four Israeli military sources. They confirmed that the postponement of the ground invasion had been ordered, but did not know why. However, two of the sources said it could be due to hostage negotiations.
Behind the scenes, it is said in Washington that Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin speaks almost daily with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. And calls for a delay in the invasion continue to come citywide. No government has officially confirmed such talks.
Understand the situation
The conflict in the Middle East began on October 7, when a group of 2,500 armed men crossed the Gaza Strip border with Israel and attacked several civilians. More than 1,400 people were killed and 200 taken hostage. Of this number, two North American women were released last Friday (October 20) and one hostage of Brazilian descent was killed.
More than 200,000 Israelis have been forced from their homes since the events began, largely due to attacks by the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which joined the conflict in support of Hamas. This situation even increased tensions regarding the possible involvement of other countries, such as Iran, and escalation into a general conflict.
In this context, the more than two million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip remain embroiled in a war with no end in sight. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinian deaths rose to 4,741 on Sunday (October 22). As of Saturday (October 21), the death toll was 4,385. Last week, half of the deaths in Gaza were women and children, and now 70% of those are children and women.
With data on deaths in Israel (1,400), the total number of deaths is just over 6,000. The total number of injured exceeds 19,800, more than 15,800 of whom are Palestinians. The UN agency also said at least 340,000 residents were homeless and 2.4 million were “displaced” in the region due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.