Biden and Netanyahu no agreement on a humanitarian pause in Gaza

2023-11-06 22:25:07, Kosova & Bota CNA

The American President, Joe Biden, did not reach an agreement during the telephone conversation he held on November 6 with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding the need for a humanitarian pause in the Israel-Hamas war.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US "will continue to advocate for a temporary and localized cessation of hostilities".

The number of Palestinians killed in the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has exceeded 10,000, the Ministry of Health in Gaza, led by Hamas, has reported. According to this ministry, over 4,100 victims were children and 2,640 were women.

Asked if this casualty figure would prompt the US to consider ending support for Israel, Kirby said, "I think we all need to remember why they [Israel] are fighting" referring to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.

During this attack in southern Israel, Hamas killed over 1,400 people and the attack triggered the start of the war.

Kirby insisted that "no country" would tolerate such an attack "without a swift and aggressive response". However, he said the US has held "sincere" talks with the Israelis about efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas's ability to govern Gaza and attack Israel. Since October 7, the Gaza Strip - home to 2.3 million Palestinians - has been the target of constant airstrikes. This territory is surrounded by Israel and ground troops are continuing their operations inside the northern part of Gaza City, which according to the Israeli authorities, is separated from the rest of the Gaza Strip.

Israel has said most of Hamas' infrastructure is in northern Gaza and has ordered residents to move south. But, even in the south and throughout the Gaza Strip, Israel has continued air attacks./ REL