Stop the attack on Gaza civilians or else — U.S warns Israel

U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a clear ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday: take immediate measures to protect Palestinian civilians and foreign aid workers in Gaza, or risk a potential reduction in U.S. support for Israel’s military efforts against Hamas militants.

The ultimatum comes in the wake of heightened concerns over Israel’s military tactics, which have resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinians.

The latest trigger was an Israeli attack that claimed the lives of seven aid workers affiliated with the World Central Kitchen (WCK), sparking international outrage.

While the White House did not specify the exact actions it expects Netanyahu to take, analysts interpreted the implicit threat as a potential slowdown in U.S. arms transfers to Israel or a scaling back of U.S. support at the United Nations.

Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations characterized the situation as a pivotal moment akin to a ‘come to Jesus’ moment, echoing Biden’s recent remarks indicating a turning point in U.S.-Israel relations.

Dennis Ross, a seasoned U.S. diplomat now associated with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted that the president’s message effectively conveys the necessity for addressing humanitarian concerns, hinting at the possibility of conditioning military assistance on meeting these demands.

Biden, who faces re-election in November, finds himself navigating a delicate balance between progressive Democrats advocating for curbing Netanyahu’s actions and the risk of alienating predominantly pro-Israel independent voters.

Thus far, the administration has refrained from imposing conditions on arms transfers.

The ongoing conflict erupted following an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, resulting in a significant death toll on both sides.

Israel claims that Hamas militants have been using civilians as human shields, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated Gaza Strip.