By On Tuesday, the United States called for increased urgency and flexibility in finalizing a truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, following the recent deaths of six hostages. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized the pressing need to conclude a deal, highlighting the plight of the dozens of hostages still held in Gaza and the suffering endured by both the Israeli and Palestinian people due to the ongoing conflict. Miller underscored that both the people of Israel and Palestine, as well as the international community, cannot afford further delays.
Miller indicated that the U.S. plans to work closely with mediators from Egypt and Qatar in the coming days to push for a final agreement. A significant sticking point in the negotiations has been Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) remain stationed at the Gaza-Egypt border. Miller stated that the U.S. opposes the long-term presence of IDF troops in Gaza and stressed that achieving a final agreement will require both parties to demonstrate flexibility and focus on reaching a consensus rather than highlighting obstacles.
Adding to the complexities, pressure on Israel has been mounting following the UK’s new Labour government’s decision to halt some arms exports to Israel. This decision was made due to concerns over the potential misuse of these arms in violations of international humanitarian law. The U.S. was informed of the UK’s decision but has maintained that it will assess the situation based on its own legal frameworks. The State Department noted that while it did not have sufficient evidence in May to block weapons shipments, it found it reasonable to assess that some arms might have been used inconsistently with humanitarian law standards.
The United States continues to provide approximately $3 billion in military aid to Israel each year. Despite the UK’s decision, the U.S. remains committed to reviewing the situation thoroughly and working towards a resolution that addresses humanitarian concerns while supporting its ally.
