Opinion
Vantage | Why Biden now wants a 'pause' in war
Israeli forces have been relentlessly pounding Gaza intensifying their operations with each passing day
The Vantage Take Last Updated: November 03, 2023 12:26:29 IST 
US President Joe Biden. Reuters
In the heart of Gaza, where life is constantly overshadowed by the looming threat of missiles, recent events have left the world watching in apprehension.
A moment of terror
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In Gaza, life is a precarious balance. At any moment, a missile can strike turning daily routines into nightmares. Pictures from a church in the region show a service in progress when an Israeli missile struck just outside its walls. Incredibly, the worshippers inside survived, but not everyone has been as fortunate.
Intense conflict
Israeli forces have been relentlessly pounding Gaza intensifying their operations with each passing day. Their tactics involve a multifaceted approach attacking from all sides:
• Tanks on the ground• Warplanes in the air• Missile ships on the high seas in the west
These operations reflect Israel’s determination to hit Hamas on every possible level.
‘Hitting terrorists at every level’
Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant expressed his appreciation for the forces’ performance.
“I am impressed with the forces’ operations. It’s a determined operation. Decisive, strong, combined operation between the ground forces, in the air, with supporting fire from the sea, from the air. I want to convey my great appreciation for the performance of our forces. These are very important achievements in the field. We’re hitting terrorists at every level,” said Gallant.
Expanding operations
Israel’s expansion is evident in its ground offensive, which commenced on 28 October. Israeli forces entered Gaza from the north and they are now making advances from multiple directions utilising several entry points in the north and at least two in the east. While exact numbers remain undisclosed, Israel has deployed substantial firepower including armoured vehicles, tanks and hundreds of soldiers. They are conducting door-to-door operations with support from tanks and warplanes making their presence strongly felt in Gaza.
The goal: Destroying Hamas
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been clear about their objective: to “destroy Hamas”. This war’s overarching aim is to weaken and eliminate the organisation. However, the success on the battlefield has come at a significant cost. Civilian casualties in Gaza have soared past 10,000, a figure that is raising concerns among Israel’s allies. Initially, the United States offered unwavering support to Israel. President Joe Biden backed the nation firmly. However, recent events have seen a shift in this stance.
In a surprising move, President Biden called for a “humanitarian pause” during a speech in Minnesota. This pause is intended to facilitate the extraction of hostages, a situation that is becoming increasingly complex.
Hostage dilemma
The hostage situation in Gaza remains unresolved. Despite Israel’s advances, the release of hostages remains elusive. Families of hostages are enduring a distressing time and the number of hostages has risen significantly.
“So far 242 families of 242 hostages have been notified. I repeat, 242 hostages. We are committed to the national task to return them all home,” said Israel’s military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
Pressure on the Biden administration
The Biden administration is facing mounting pressure from political opponents and even from within its own staff. There is a notable rebellion within the State Department with officials expressing their dissent over US military assistance to Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is facing a public backlash over US policy towards Israel. He recently appeared before lawmakers and was met with protesters reflecting the growing dissatisfaction with the administration’s stance.
In an attempt to address the worsening situation, Blinken is embarking on his second visit to the region in less than a month. His itinerary includes stops in Israel and Jordan, a challenging assignment given the deteriorating circumstances.
Rising tensions
Tensions in West Asia are escalating. Jordan has pulled out its envoy from Israel and Hamas is issuing threats of further attacks vowing to repeat previous onslaughts. The situation remains volatile with no immediate resolution in sight. With these ongoing threats and the complex hostage situation, Israel is unlikely to ease its assault making a humanitarian pause a difficult prospect. The conflict in Gaza continues, and with it, the risk of more strikes and casualties remains a stark reality.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
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