Biden calls for protecting Gaza's civilians, shies away from ceasefire
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US President Joe Biden asks the Israeli occupation to do more to protect civilians in Gaza, though he refrained from calling for a cessation of the aggression on the Strip.
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President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media as he leaves the White House near Thurmont, Maryland, December 23, 2023 (AP)
In a lengthy conversation held on Saturday, US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the ongoing war on Gaza, a day after the United States dished out more diplomatic support for the Israeli occupation.
The conversation came in light of the UN Security Council adopting a resolution on Friday, which has been repeatedly criticized as "watered down".
The resolution merely called for hastening the delivery of aid to Gaza.
Netanyahu's office expressed gratitude toward the United States for its stance at the UN Security Council after it voted against yet another Gaza-relief-related resolution despite the resolution merely calling for the provision of aid to Gaza.
Furthermore, it emphasized Netanyahu's commitment to continue military operations until all of the Israeli occupation's objectives are achieved. The statement indicated a determination to persist in the aggression rather than seeking an immediate cessation of hostilities.
According to information from the White House, the conversation between Biden and Netanyahu delved into the details of the Israeli occupation's invasion of Gaza.
Topics covered included the objectives and phases of the aggression, the alleged bids to safeguard civilian lives, which has so far resulted in the death of more than 20,000 people, and the necessity of securing the release of the captives.
"The leaders discussed the importance of securing the release of all remaining hostages," the White House stated, as reported by Reuters.
Biden, however, remained tight-lipped about specific details of the conversation, asserting that it was a private exchange. Nevertheless, he clarified that he did not request a ceasefire during the discussion.
US vetoes ceasefire amendment
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Friday that the US vetoed a Russian amendment to a UNSC resolution on Gaza calling for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities."
Following the US Veto, the United Nations Security Council voted instead to endorse a resolution demanding the "safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale," under UNSC Resolution 2722.
After numerous delays, the resolution also called for the development of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities," but it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
Russia and the United States abstained, meaning it passed with 13 votes in favor, as Russia appealed for an immediate ceasefire.
The resolution urges "all sides" to "allow and facilitate the use of all... routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings... for the provision of humanitarian assistance."
It also proposes that a UN humanitarian coordinator be appointed to supervise and verify supplies coming into Gaza, with an earlier draft stating the aid system for accelerating relief distribution would be "exclusively" under UN authority.
UN chief says Israeli offensive 'real problem'
Following a Security Council resolution that called for substantial assistance deliveries, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared on Friday that "Israel's" offensive was the "real problem... creating massive obstacles" to humanitarian shipments.
"The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza," he said.
"A humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare."
While "Israel" continues to massacre civilians unpunished, US State Department officials are discreetly attempting to impede efforts to increase global pressure on the occupation.
State Department documents obtained by HuffPost indicate how US diplomats are finalizing a démarche to Switzerland that Washington hopes will cancel the preparations for an event to discuss Israeli violations of the Geneva Conventions in Palestine.
US turning a blind eye
Formal rulings that "Israel" breached the treaties in its US-backed war on Gaza would bring about a severe worldwide condemnation of both parties and would support the accusations of human rights groups that have amassed evidence that stands as proof of such violations.
Switzerland, which has always been neutral, decides when meetings of the parties concerned to discuss compliance take place.
According to State Department documents and a source familiar with the Palestinian effort, Palestinian diplomats and a group of UN member states, including some European nations allied with the US, are preparing a call for Switzerland to launch such a conference focused on the war in Gaza.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists all endorse the urgent meeting. The Biden administration, however, plans on lobbying Swiss counterparts to stop the conference.
Internal memos obtained by HuffPost encourage US diplomats to express "serious concern" about the Palestinian initiative and present several counter-arguments.
Michael Sfard, an Israeli lawyer, expressed the true reason behind the US fears, saying, “Because America is supporting the Israeli campaign, it will be affected by anything that charges 'Israel' with crimes or demands that Israel adhere to something."
