Biden Pressures Israel for Ceasefire: "Netanyahu Is Making a Mistake"

U.S. President Joe Biden pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire. According to major foreign media outlets, in an interview with the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision aired on the 9th (local time), President Biden was asked about Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza Strip war and responded, "I think what he is doing is a mistake," adding, "I do not agree with his approach."

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President Biden described the Israeli airstrike on an international aid organization's truck in Gaza, which killed seven aid workers last week, as "deeply shocking" and "unacceptable." "What I am urging is for Israel to call for a ceasefire and to allow full access to all food and medicine entering Israel over the next six to eight weeks (to supply Gaza)," he said.

Biden has so far maintained the position that Hamas is responsible for ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. His statement that Israel should be the first to call for a ceasefire reverses his previous stance. President Biden said, "There is no reason not to provide the necessary medicine and food to the people of Gaza." Analysts suggest that Biden's remarks may reflect consideration of potential backlash from some Democratic supporters who favor pro-Israel policies ahead of the November election.

Meanwhile, Israel is on the verge of attacking Rafah, the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip and Hamas's last stronghold. Approximately 1.4 million refugees are currently concentrated in Rafah. Due to the expected large-scale civilian casualties in the event of a bloody crackdown, the area is being referred to as "the largest crucible on earth." The international community, including the United States, is urging Israel to refrain from the attack.

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