Biden Holds Fourth Call with Netanyahu...Strongly Pressures for Ceasefire Approval (Comprehensive)

White House Removes Support Phrase for Israel's Defense Rights
US Congress Passes Resolution to Suspend Arms Sales to Israel
Netanyahu States "Continued Fighting" but Likely to Accept Ceasefire Proposal

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Yujin Jo and Hyunwoo Lee] Expectations for a ceasefire are growing as U.S. President Joe Biden is reported to have strongly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) to agree to a ceasefire with the Palestinians. Although Netanyahu has stated his intention to continue the fighting, the increasing pressure from the U.S. and the international community has led to widespread speculation that he will soon accept a ceasefire proposal. Progressive members of the U.S. Democratic Party have also issued a resolution demanding an urgent halt to arms sales to Israel, pressuring the Biden administration to expedite the ceasefire amid worsening domestic and international public opinion.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 19th (local time), the White House announced in a statement that President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu had their fourth phone call this week. During the call, President Biden strongly urged Netanyahu, saying, "We expect a significant step toward a ceasefire today," the White House said.

In this statement, the White House also removed the phrase "supporting Israel's right to defend itself," which had been emphasized in previous disclosures of calls between Biden and Netanyahu. The AP interpreted this as a strong warning against further escalation of the conflict.

Progressive members within the U.S. Democratic Party also quickly issued a resolution opposing the approval of arms sales to Israel, increasing pressure on the Biden administration. According to CNN, six House members including progressive Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Pocan, and Rashida Tlaib submitted a resolution demanding the suspension of the sale of precision-guided munitions (JDAM) worth $735 million (approximately 832.8 billion KRW) to Israel. Representative Ocasio-Cortez stated in the resolution, "At a time when many, including President Biden, have expressed support for a ceasefire, we must not send weapons that prolong violence to Israel."

The arms sale approval was officially notified to the U.S. Congress on the 5th and had been approved by the Democrats, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. If the resolution to halt the arms sale is not adopted by Congress by the 21st, the sale will be automatically approved. The U.S. political media outlet Politico analyzed, "There are considerable opinions within the Democratic Party that the sale of precision-guided munitions could actually reduce civilian casualties," adding that the resolution is criticized as a formal gesture responding to worsening public opinion and pressure from Democratic members.

Despite U.S. pressure, Netanyahu has publicly emphasized his unwavering commitment to the fighting. According to the Times of Israel, after his call with President Biden, Netanyahu held a press conference stating, "We will continue operations until the goal of restoring Israel’s peace and security is achieved," and hinted at the possibility of escalation by saying, "If necessary, we may conquer Hamas territory."

However, as bilateral behind-the-scenes negotiations led by the U.S. and Egypt progress, the prevailing analysis is that the Israeli government will find it difficult to sustain the conflict long-term. On the same day, Hamas senior official Mousa Abu Marzouk, in an interview with Lebanon’s Mayadeen TV, positively hinted at a ceasefire mediation proposal by the U.S., Egypt, and the international community, stating, "A ceasefire is expected within a day or two," raising hopes for a ceasefire. According to Al Jazeera, U.S. and Egyptian special envoys have received Hamas’s agreement to a ceasefire proposal and are awaiting Israel’s response.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.