U.S. President Joe Biden and his aides worked behind the scenes on Monday to push for a ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist resistance movement (Hamas), amid what a source described as disappointment over Israel's bombing of a building in Gaza that housed some news organizations. Biden is facing increasing pressure from lawmakers within his Democratic Party to take a more visible role, but U.S. officials say Biden and his team have opted for a quieter approach, engaging with Israeli officials and U.S. allies in the Arab world.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters, "Our assessment at this time is that conducting these talks behind the scenes... is the most constructive approach we can take." Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking their third conversation since the outbreak of violence. The White House stated that Biden "encouraged Israel to make every possible effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians." Additionally, they discussed "progress in Israeli military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza."
Biden "expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners for this purpose." Supporters of the Biden administration have called for faster action. Logan Bayroff, a spokesperson for the J Street group, a liberal pro-Israel lobbying organization, stated, "We genuinely feel disappointed that the administration has not acted with greater urgency." On Sunday, 28 members of the Senate issued a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire "to prevent any further loss of civilian life and to prevent escalation of the conflict." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday that he also wanted to achieve a ceasefire quickly.
The Biden administration is increasingly relying on Egypt due to its influence over Hamas. The administration aims to enter a path to de-escalation in the coming days, leading to what a knowledgeable source described as a humanitarian stop to the violence to allow relief aid into Gaza and establish a sustainable calm. The source indicated that the U.S. is believed to be preparing significant initiatives regarding the reconstruction of Gaza.
Biden has strongly defended Israel's right to self-defense due to the repeated rocket attacks from Hamas, which the United States designates as a terrorist organization. However, the administration has not supported Israel’s destruction of a tower in Gaza that housed the offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. The source noted that the Biden administration considers the strike on the building a significant strategic blunder, especially as it has shifted some public opinion in the U.S. against Israel.
Democratic House member Joaquin Castro stated, "The increasing loss of life among Palestinian and Israeli civilians is unreasonable and unacceptable." He added, "I am particularly disturbed by the disproportionate bombing of Gaza, including the deaths of at least 92 women and children and the targeting of the Associated Press building." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted that he spoke with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the urgent need to cease violence in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. He said, "The loss of life due to this crisis is extremely tragic, calm must be restored, and this conflict must end."
