Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, President Biden has made it clear that he envisions a resolution culminating in the establishment of a “real” Palestinian state, coexisting alongside Israel. Speaking at a news conference in Southern California, the president revealed ongoing negotiations with Arab nations, although specifics remain undisclosed.
The call for a two-state solution has become a focal point for Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, echoing past U.S. policy goals. While previous administrations faced hurdles in advancing this agenda, Biden remains resolute in his pursuit, stating that the conflict won’t conclude until a two-state solution is achieved.
As the diplomatic dance continues, President Biden refrained from specifying when Israel should cease its Gaza offensive. He asserted that an end to the violence would hinge on Hamas’s ability to no longer inflict “horrific things” upon Israelis. Highlighting Hamas’s use of hospitals to conceal weapons, Biden underscored the complexity of the situation.
Recent revelations indicate that Hamas maintains a compound beneath Al-Shifa Hospital, raising concerns about the safety of civilian patients. The Israeli military’s raid into this area further escalated tensions. Amid the conflict, Biden acknowledged Israel’s efforts to allow medical personnel to evacuate, noting a shift from previous indiscriminate bombing.
The toll of the conflict is stark, with Hamas’s actions leading to approximately 1,200 deaths in southern Israel on Oct. 7. In response, Israel’s strikes on Gaza have claimed at least 11,000 lives, with 40% being children, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. President Biden acknowledged the gravity of the situation, expressing a cautious hope for the release of some hostages, though the details of ongoing talks remain uncertain.
Hamas, signaling a willingness to release hostages, awaits favorable conditions, including reciprocal releases by Israel. Negotiations are underway, exploring the possibility of Israel pausing strikes for three days to facilitate hostage releases. President Biden emphasized positive collaboration with Qatar, host to Hamas’s political leaders, in the pursuit of securing hostage releases. As the diplomatic chessboard evolves, Biden remains “mildly hopeful” for progress, leaving the world on the edge of its seat in anticipation of potential breakthroughs in the quest for peace.
