Topline
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will press Israel on Friday to agree to temporary “humanitarian pauses” in military operations in Gaza that would allow for safe hostage releases and the distribution of humanitarian aid into the region, according to the New York Times, an effort that will be pushed as the costly Israel-Hamas war nears its one-month mark.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) will meet to … [+] discuss the pause request.
Key Facts
Blinken will bring the pause request to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, the Times reported, citing White House officials who said the proposal was different from a cease-fire, which the U.S. has voted against in a United Nations humanitarian truce resolution.
The meeting with Netanyahu will follow President Joe Biden’s own call for a pause on Wednesday, telling supporters a pause gives time “to get the prisoners out” after a protester demanded a cease-fire at a fundraiser event for Biden’s reelection campaign.
Blinken will discuss several other subjects relating to Israel and Gaza with Netanyahu, according to the Times, as the Israel-Hamas war continues to claim more lives in Gaza.
Key Background
The U.S., a longtime ally of Israel, has refused to support a cease-fire, citing concerns that such a move would benefit Hamas, which attacked southern Israel last month, killing more than 1,400 and taking hostages back to the Gaza Strip. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Tuesday that Hamas would be able to “refit, renew themselves—plan and execute additional attacks” if a cease-fire were established. However, Kirby said “pauses” in the fighting would be acceptable for the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The U.S. and Israel also opposed a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas last week. The resolution, which is non-binding, was passed by a margin of 120 to 14, according to Al Jazeera.
Tangent
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called for an Israel-Hamas cease-fire during an interview with CNN on Thursday, and said hostages should be immediately released. Durbin added that he had not communicated his stance to the White House, which has strayed away from cease-fire wording and proposals.
Further Reading
Israel Admits Striking Refugee Camp—Says It Targeted And Killed Hamas Commander (Forbes)
U.S. to Press Israel for ‘Pauses’ in War Against Hamas (New York Times)
