U.S. Signals to Israel to End Gaza Operation, Reach Ceasefire

By Amir Tibon, Jonathan Lis, Jack Khoury, HAARETZ    11.5.23

The Biden administration is signaling to Israel to reach a ceasefire and end its ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip, as talks between Israel and the Palestinians, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the UN, continue.

A source familiar with the details of the negotiations told Haaretz that “the talks go on, but the situation is complicated and tense.” Nevertheless, the source said “we’re moving toward a ceasefire, but at a slower pace than usual.”

A source in Gaza, on the other hand, said that no progress has been made in ceasefire negotiations, which must include Israel committing to stop its targeted assassinations.

Two senior American officials spoke with their Israeli counterparts on Thursday night and called to prevent an escalation. The White House statement said that the conversation between U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi included the standard claims of Israel’s right to defend itself, and stressed the need for “continued regional efforts to broker a ceasefire,” to “deescalate tensions” and “prevent further loss of life.”

A statement released by the Pentagon said that the U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and conveyed a similar message of support for Israel’s right to defend itself, yet also urged for a “de-escalation towards a sustainable calm.”

The Biden administration is concerned that the fighting in Gaza will expand into a multi-front conflict including missiles being launched at Israel from Lebanon or Syria, as happened last month. The White House is also worried that with a weakened Palestinian Authority, an escalation might occur in the West Bank or Jerusalem.

President Joe Biden personally intervened in the Guardian of the Walls military operation in 2021 after 10 days of fighting and rockets launched from Lebanon, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the operation and prevent a broader regional crisis.

On Wednesday, the U.S. prevented the publication of a critical statement against Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Strip and civilian casualties on behalf of the UN Security Council, which was held at the request of France, China and the UAE. Most council members supported publishing the statement.

Israeli officials believe that if the current operation continues, such pressure from the U.S. could begin at an earlier stage – yet they emphasize that Israel intends to respond to any rocket fire from the Islamic Jihad. A political source told Haaretz that any rocket fire resulting in casualties, whether Israeli or Palestinian, could escalate the situation or lead Hamas to join the campaign.<

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YAIR LAPID SAID:

“There are no political gains that Israel needs at the moment from this operation. The operation had nice results, and we must stop now.“

May 11, 2023 | 5 Comments »

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  1. @Dreuveni Islamic Jihad won’t agree to a ceasefire unless Israel agrees to stop targeted assassinations from now on. This is an unacceptable demand and we have seen what happens when Israel ceasefires unilaterally. In fact, why not take this writer’s suggestion?

    “Finish the Job; Take them all out! One by one.” by Schmuel Sackett. May 11, 2023

    https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/371313

    I agree with what you said about Ha’aretz, but I think the same goes for Lapid.

    Looking at the Defence/Security section of Arutz Sheva for the past few days, I see lots of arrests and eliminations, a few people hurt, one or two killed, and one or two houses destroyed by rocket fire,

    But no stabbings, car rammings, shootings, bombings, rapes, assaults against Jews.
    I just saw an article somewhere else about an Israeli who was shot in a refugee camp. Doesn’t say if it wad a Jew or an Arab or what he was doing there but it was averaging 8 a day for a long long time until now.
    Whatever they are doing, they should keep it up. It’s working. What can Biden do except complain.
    Nides just resigned.

    Lapid and Ganz have lapdog mentalities.

    Bibi can “just say no” to the U.S. in the words of Nancy Reagan and in the footsteps of Ben-Gurion.

  3. How dare the US dictate to Israel how far she may defend herself! What truly appalling hubris – it’s time America realized she should stop trying to weaken her greatest ally.

  5. Two points:
    1. If Haaretz is reporting about this, we should be considering the opposite.
    2. For a change, I agree with Lapid.