Go for Change! White House Pushes Israel During Bombing Pause to Alter its Strategy

The White House has been applying pressure on the Israeli government to change its strategy after a 12-hour bombing pause in the Gaza Strip ended. During the pause, Israel refused to stop the aerial bombardment that it launched in response to Hamas’ rocket attacks. The U.S. government was reportedly displeased with the Israeli response to the ceasefire, as it pushed for an end to the cyclical violence. The White House called for the extension of the pause, during which Hamas would have been allowed to inspect the damage caused by the air strikes, and for both sides to come up with a comprehensive plan for the cessation of violence. The State Department’s spokesman, Ned Price, released a statement saying that “This violence must end. The Administration has continued to press the Israeli government for an end to the current hostilities and to encourage a significant, long-term change in the situation in Gaza to ensure a more durable peace.” The change in strategy that the White House had requested of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would have included the reduction of hostilities, including a longer cease-fire that is accompanied by a comprehensive peace plan. The two sides are reportedly in agreement that a border buffer zone should be created between Israel and Gaza, while Hamas’ demands may include a loosening of the grip on the movement of goods and people’s access to the region. Israel has said that it is open to working on a long-term solution, but only if Hamas stops firing rockets and the terror group’s infrastructure is destroyed. While the White House has been critical of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, it has so far refrained from calling for an immediate end to the airstrikes. The incident marks a tipping point in the decades-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Though the current conflict has been the worst in a decade, violence between the two sides is a regular occurrence, and it appears that the White House is intent on pushing for a lasting peace plan that could potentially end the violence for good.