The United States ‘gives in’ to growing international requests for “humanitarian pauses” in attacks on Gaza – also requested by the EU – and pressures Israel to accept them, allowing aid to enter, foreigners to leave and facilitating the release of hostages. The Washington Post highlights the Biden administration’s “sudden policy change,” which comes at a time when the humanitarian situation in the Strip has become increasingly dire. According to the American newspaper, David Satterfield, President Joe Biden’s special envoy for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, was in Israel in recent days to try to make progress both in terms of aid and exits to Egypt. But according to officials from the US, UN, Egypt and Israel, no substantial progress has actually been made.
And negotiations are underway, highlights the Post, to understand what Israel would like to obtain in exchange for the pause. Hamas has said it is willing to release all non-Israeli hostages in exchange for a limited ceasefire, including citizens of 41 countries among the roughly 200 captives, although both the United States and Israel have concerns about this, and that it will consider releasing Israeli civilian hostages if other demands are met, including the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. At the same time, no one, including at least 400 American citizens and their families, has been able to leave Gaza since the border was closed shortly after the war began. Egypt says its side of the crossing is open, but that Palestinians cannot cross because Israel refuses to stop its airstrikes.
A source familiar with Israel’s position in discussions on the border situation said the Jewish state “has no problem with people leaving the Gaza Strip to go to Sinai, the problem is what comes in, not what goes out.” . On the contrary, “it is an Egyptian problem, they are afraid that if they open Rafah” to let foreigners out, “one hundred thousand people will break down the gates”. A war of nerves in the Middle East also continues.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
