In a significant blow to President Joe Biden’s attempts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant delivered a contemptuous message, asserting that the war would persist for “more than several months,” and that Israel had no intentions of halting its high-intensity operations.
The shocking revelation reportedly left President Biden stunned, contradicting his own pursuit of a rapid and peaceful resolution to the crisis. The Washington Post, in its December 15, 2023 report, highlighted Biden’s call for Israel to prioritize saving civilian lives and exercising greater caution in its Gaza attacks, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, have resulted in almost 18,800 deaths and over 51,000 injuries.
President Biden had proposed a post-war plan, suggesting that the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, take over Gaza’s administration as part of a broader initiative to establish an independent Palestinian state. However, Minister Gallant rejected this proposal, branding Abbas as a “terrorist supporter” and a “corrupt dictator” whom Israel would not accept in any role.
Gallant’s remarks, made during a meeting with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, were seen as a direct challenge to Biden, who has been under fire from some within his party and human rights groups for his unwavering support for Israel.
Despite defending Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, Biden expressed concern over the disproportionate impact on Gaza’s civilian population, enduring relentless airstrikes, artillery fire, and ground incursions. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reported Israeli attacks on cemeteries and graves, leading to severe damage and the disappearance of bodies.
Adding to Biden’s challenges, the recovery of Elia Toledano’s body, kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attack, was announced by Israel. The IDF claimed to have killed “more than ten terrorists” during the operation, resulting in at least 12 Palestinian deaths and over 30 injuries in Jenin, West Bank.
As Biden contemplates a 2024 re-election bid, he grapples with the delicate task of balancing support for Israel with a commitment to human rights and Middle East peace. Critics accuse him of being lenient on Israel, while supporters praise his pragmatism.
Biden’s envoy to the region, Jake Sullivan, is scheduled to meet Palestinian leaders in the West Bank on Friday, seeking to revive the stalled peace process and garner support for Biden’s Gaza plan. However, Sullivan may encounter resistance from Abbas, marginalized by the war and facing credibility challenges.
With the conflict entering its third month unabated, both sides continue to defy international calls for a ceasefire. Friday morning’s attacks claimed the lives of at least four Palestinians, including children, in southern Gaza, as the UN warns of an impending humanitarian catastrophe with over half the population displaced and basic services severely disrupted.
