Biden tells Netanyahu for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire deal

The White House has stated that US President Joe Biden has emphasized the need for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During a call on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris joined Mr. Biden to discuss the significance of eliminating any remaining barriers that may impede an agreement with Hamas.

In a recent statement, the White House reiterated its unwavering support for Israel's defence against various threats emanating from Iran. These threats include proxy terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Following the conclusion of a diplomatic tour in the Middle East, the US secretary of state has been advocating for a potential agreement to end the ongoing war.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the office of Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's intention to maintain a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border, should a deal be reached.

Israel is determined to achieve all of its objectives for the war, as defined by the security cabinet. One of these objectives is to ensure that Gaza never poses a security threat to Israel again. A statement emphasized the need to secure the southern border.

The issue has emerged as a crucial point of contention, as Hamas remains steadfast in their demand for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Egypt strongly opposes the presence of Israeli forces along its border with Gaza.

In a recent development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that Israel has reportedly accepted a "US bridging proposal". This significant decision came after a three-hour meeting between Blinken and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

When asked by the BBC, Mr Blinken declined to confirm whether the US proposal included withdrawing Israeli troops from the Philadelphi corridor. However, Washington seems annoyed by Mr Netanyahu's persistent public insistence on the plan.

An official from the United States criticized the prime minister for making statements that were deemed unhelpful in reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Another round of ceasefire talks in Cairo will occur this weekend, and representatives from the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar are expected to attend.

Hamas has no official confirmation regarding their attendance, but it is widely speculated that they stay informed about the negotiations through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

According to a member of the Hamas political bureau, the group reached a deal through mediators on July 2nd. As a result, they believe there is no need for further negotiations or discussions regarding Benjamin Netanyahu's new demands.

Basem Naim expressed his satisfaction with the level of flexibility and positivity demonstrated. According to the source, Mr Netanyahu's motives were questioned, as he was accused of prioritizing political gains over achieving a ceasefire and exacerbating tensions in the region.

According to health authorities in Gaza, Israeli air strikes on Wednesday resulted in the tragic loss of at least 50 Palestinian lives.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported striking approximately 30 targets throughout the territory, which included tunnels, launch sites, and an observation post.

The UN-run Salah al-Din school in Gaza City was among the targets, according to the IDF. They claimed that the school was being used as a hideout by Hamas operatives. According to the Hamas-run Civil Defence Service, the strike resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left 15 others injured.

According to Philippe Lazzarini, the director of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, the recent strike resulted in the tragic loss of children's lives, with some of them suffering from fatal burns.

"The situation in Gaza has become increasingly unsafe for children." "They are the first casualty of this merciless war," he remarked, emphasizing that a ceasefire is long overdue.

In response to a severe attack on southern Israel by Hamas gunmen on October 7th, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza. The attack resulted in a significant loss of life, with approximately 1,200 people killed and 251 individuals taken hostage.

According to the health ministry in Gaza, over 40,223 individuals have lost their lives since then. However, the ministry does not provide specific information regarding the breakdown of civilian and combatant casualties. According to the UN Human Rights Office, the majority of the victims were women and children.

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement engaged in a recent exchange of fire. Israel claimed to have targeted a weapons storage facility belonging to Hezbollah in the Bekaa Valley during the night. According to the Lebanese health ministry, one individual tragically lost their life while 30 others sustained injuries.

Hezbollah, supported by Iran, claimed responsibility for launching a series of rocket attacks on Israeli military positions in the Golan Heights. According to Israeli authorities, two homes were struck in the incident, resulting in one person sustaining injuries.