NEW ORLEANS, USA: In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of a ceasefire, suggesting it could prevent Iran from retaliating against Israel for the recent killing of a Hamas leader.
This comes in the wake of Iran’s strong rejection of Western calls to de-escalate tensions.
The killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, occurred in Tehran during Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration. While Israel has not officially commented, Iran has blamed Israel for the assassination and vowed retaliation.
The situation has further escalated following an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed a Hezbollah commander, fueling fears of a broader regional conflict.
Biden, speaking to reporters in New Orleans, acknowledged the difficulty of ongoing negotiations but maintained hope that a truce between Israel and Hamas could deter Iranian aggression. This view is shared by U.S. officials, who are working alongside European allies to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
The United States has bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and a guided missile submarine in support of Israel. Additionally, Washington has approved over $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including advanced fighter jets and ammunition.
Despite these preparations, the U.S. and its European partners have called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with truce talks scheduled to resume. The ongoing conflict, which began after Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, has already claimed thousands of lives on both sides. The death toll in Gaza has risen to nearly 40,000, according to local health officials.
While Biden and other Western leaders push for peace, Iran has criticized the call for restraint, accusing the West of ignoring Israel’s actions. Meanwhile, tensions within Israel’s government, particularly from far-right factions, complicate the situation. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a prominent figure in Netanyahu’s coalition, continues to oppose any ceasefire, further heightening tensions.
Amidst the violence, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where Putin expressed concern over civilian casualties in Gaza and reiterated his support for the creation of a Palestinian state. The situation remains volatile, with continued rocket fire from Hamas and ongoing Israeli strikes, leaving the prospect of peace uncertain.
