President Joe Biden has called for a “pause” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“I think we need a pause,” Biden said in response to a question at a campaign reception in Minnesota.
When asked to clarify what he meant by pause, he said: “A pause means giving time for the release of prisoners. Give it time.”
White House officials later clarified that he was referring to hostages and humanitarian aid.
The president’s comments came after he was interrupted by a protester calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Biden and White House officials have previously said they will not dictate how Israel will conduct military operations in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, so the president’s words could be seen as a slight change from that position.
The president has faced increasing pressure from human rights groups, world leaders and even liberal members of his Democratic Party.
In his opinion, the Israeli bombing of Gaza is collective punishment and it is time for a ceasefire.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday that newly appointed ambassador to Israel Jack Lew would soon travel to the Middle East.
According to Kirby, he will be specifically tasked with “supporting US efforts to create the conditions for a humanitarian pause to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation facing Palestinian civilians.”
Biden said he understands the feelings driving protesters.
“This is all very difficult for the Israelis,” Biden continued. – Everything is very difficult for the Muslim world… I support a two-state solution (to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict). “I supported him from the beginning.”
“The fact is that Hamas is a terrorist organization. An openly terrorist organization,” he stated.
At the same time, Biden noted that he is working on humanitarian assistance issues and said that he was the one who convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to allow aid to be delivered to the Strip. from Gaza.
“I am that person,” he said.
