President Biden recently delivered a threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, insisting Israel must change course in the conflict with Hamas, or face consequences from the United States. Despite this strong message, aides to Mr. Biden noted that he was hopeful that his message resonated with Mr. Netanyahu, suggesting that he might not have to carry out his threat after all. During their conversation, Mr. Biden outlined specific commitments he wanted Israel to make to maintain his support for the war against Hamas. Mr. Netanyahu agreed to announce more aid for Gaza and signaled his intention to address Mr. Biden’s other demands in the coming days.
In response to Mr. Biden’s call, Israel authorized the opening of a key port and another land crossing for humanitarian aid later that night. The White House expects additional measures, such as new military procedures to prevent civilian casualties, to follow soon. The administration will be closely watching negotiations in Cairo this weekend to broker a temporary cease-fire. Despite the firmness of Mr. Biden’s message, he did not set a deadline for Israeli action or specifically threaten to limit or cut off U.S. arms supplies, as some Democrats have urged him to do. The outcome of this situation remains unclear, with potential consequences for the relations between the U.S. and Israel.
Experts and officials are closely observing the situation, noting the potential impact of Mr. Biden’s threat on the dynamics of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Mr. Biden’s move is seen as a way to prod Mr. Netanyahu to take necessary steps that may otherwise be politically challenging for him. While both leaders have different perspectives and pressures regarding the war, the hope is that Mr. Biden’s actions have created some room for maneuvering. The initial responses from Israel regarding humanitarian aid have been viewed positively by the White House, although officials are waiting to see sustained progress and tangible outcomes.
Some responses to Mr. Biden’s threat have been mixed, with critics questioning the approach and others suggesting it did not go far enough. While Republicans criticized the president’s stance, claiming it should be directed towards Hamas rather than Israel, some Democrats expressed concerns that more could be done. Despite facing pressure from all sides, Mr. Biden remains committed to pushing for changes in Israel’s conduct during the conflict. His threat to Mr. Netanyahu was triggered by the killing of relief workers in Gaza, which deeply affected the president and prompted a strong message to Israel.
Experts highlight the complexities of American influence on Israel’s actions during the conflict, noting that while Mr. Biden has expressed support for Israel’s right to respond to attacks, he has also raised concerns about the scale of the military operation. The shift in Mr. Biden’s tone and approach towards Israel has been noted by observers, signaling a potentially significant change in U.S. policy towards the conflict. However, questions remain about the exact consequences or actions that may follow if Israel does not meet Mr. Biden’s demands. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the impact of the president’s threat and whether it leads to meaningful changes in the situation in Gaza.
