US President Joe Biden Says “Very Harmful” If No Gaza Ceasefire By Ramadan

Joe Biden mentioned that it was as much as Hamas to simply accept the deal over Gaza ceasefire as talks proceed in Cairo.

Washington:

US President Joe Biden warned Tuesday of a “very, very harmful” state of affairs and not using a Gaza ceasefire deal by Ramadan, including that it was as much as Hamas to simply accept a deal as talks proceed in Cairo.

Because the US army made its second airdrop of help to Gaza, Biden additionally informed ally Israel there have been “no excuses” for failing to permit extra help into the Palestinian enclave the place the UN warns famine is looming.

Biden’s feedback got here as US frustration grows each with Israel over Gaza’s help wants and spiraling civilian demise rely, but additionally with Hamas for stalling on situations together with the discharge of hostages.

“It is within the arms of Hamas proper now,” Biden, 81, informed reporters as he flew again to the White Home from the Camp David presidential retreat within the hills of Maryland.

“The Israelis have been cooperating, the provide (of a ceasefire) is rational. We’ll know in a few days. However we want the ceasefire.”

He added: “There’s obtained to be a ceasefire as a result of Ramadan — if we get into circumstances the place this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could possibly be very, very harmful.”

Ramadan will begin on March 10 or 11, relying on the lunar calendar.

Biden didn’t elaborate, however the US final week urged Israel to permit Muslims to worship on the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem throughout Ramadan, after a far-right minister proposed barring Palestinians from the occupied West Financial institution.

Democrat Biden faces acute political strain in an election yr over his help for Israel amid Gaza’s hovering civilian demise rely, which the well being ministry there has put at 30,631, largely girls and kids.

Israel vowed to get rid of Hamas after its unprecedented October 7 assault on southern Israel that resulted within the deaths of round 1,160 individuals, in line with an AFP tally of official figures

– ‘No excuses’ –

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken individually referred to as on Hamas to simply accept an “rapid ceasefire” with Israel because the militants met Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo.

“It’s on Hamas to make choices about whether or not it’s ready to interact in that ceasefire,” he mentioned as he met the Qatari prime minister in Washington.

Whereas Washington publicly put the onus on Hamas to agree a ceasefire, it has turn out to be more and more annoyed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to rein within the offensive or let in help.

“I am working with them very onerous,” Biden, who’s searching for reelection informed reporters. “We should get extra help into Gaza. There isn’t any excuses, none.”

US cargo planes airdropped greater than 36,000 meals to Gaza Tuesday in a joint operation with Jordan, the US army mentioned.

It’s the second such operation since Biden gave the order final week within the wake of a horrific incident during which greater than 100 individuals have been killed in chaotic scenes round a convoy of help vehicles in Gaza Metropolis.

Biden additionally dismissed strategies of tensions with Netanyahu, after Benny Gantz, considered one of Netanyahu’s rivals within the Israeli struggle cupboard, visited the White Home on Monday for talks with Vice President Kamala Harris.

On Tuesday former army chief Gantz met US Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin on the Pentagon and Blinken on the State Division.

Biden mentioned his relationship with Netanyahu was “prefer it’s all the time been.”

Democrat Biden and rightwinger Netanyahu have typically been at odds in the course of the 4 many years during which their political paths have crossed, however Biden has caught by Israel throughout its struggle with Hamas.

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