Washington: Israeli officials on Tuesday said that the country is planning to continue strikes on the Gaza strip despite growing international pressure for a ceasefire.
According to a report published in the Jerusalem Post, Israel Defense Minister Benny Gantz yesterday said that the strike will continue until Hamas is deterred for the long term.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “This (military) operation will continue as long as it takes until we achieve our goals and bring peace and security to all Israeli citizens”.
Biden supports ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
Israel made its stand clear after various countries expressed concern over the escalation of violence in the Gaza strip. Earlier, US President Joe Biden had also voiced support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in a call with Israeli PM.
“The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end,” according to a White House readout of the phone conversation.
Biden “encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians,” said the readout.
Although the European Union Foreign Affairs Council held a meeting on Tuesday, it did not arrive at a consensus over the statement to support a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.
It is also reported that foreign ministers of BRICS nations held a teleconference on Monday to discuss various Middle East issues including Israel-Palestine tension.
Democratic senator urges Iran to put pressure on Hamas for ceasefire
While various nations are trying to push both Israel and Palestine towards ceasefire, democratic senator Chris Murphy today met Iran’s UN Ambassador Majid Takht-Ravanchi to discuss various issues. Murphy also urged Iranian envoy to put a pressure on Hamas to end violence and take step towards ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Israeli military said that it prevented Hamas’s underwater drone attack. The aim of the attack was to destroy Israeli naval assets. The military also attacked the operatives that launched the attack. The ongoing conflict, the worst violence between Israel and Palestine since 2014, has killed 208 people including children. It has also left around 1,500 others injured.
Posted By Arshiya Saberi
