The United States cautioned Monday that a Gaza ceasefire by Israel could empower Hamas, hindering its ability to combat terrorism.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized the concern that a pause would allow Hamas to regroup and launch further attacks.
Miller stated, “You can understand perfectly clearly why that’s an intolerable situation for Israel, as it would be an intolerable situation for any country that has suffered such a brutal terrorist attack and continues to see the terrorist threat right on its border.”
He noted that the United States is separately working to ensure a flow of humanitarian relief into Gaza, with US envoy David Satterfield on the ground working “intensively” on aid.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, earlier on Monday, expressed his expectation that the bloc’s leaders would back a call for a pause in fighting to let in aid.
Borrell stated, “I believe that the idea of a humanitarian pause to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid, which would allow displaced persons to find shelter, is something that the leaders will support.” This statement came after talks with EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
The dynamics surrounding a ceasefire continue to be a point of contention and strategic consideration, with contrasting views on the potential outcomes for both Israel and Hamas.
