US Pressures Israel Into Gaza Ceasefire Ahead of Netanyahu Visit
The United States has compelled Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, days ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to the White House.
The truce comes after a renewed Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which followed shortly after the end of a brief but intense conflict with Iran.
The ceasefire, expected to last 60 days, is aimed at halting hostilities, enabling the release of hostages, and allowing humanitarian aid to flow into the besieged enclave. The Biden administration had been under mounting pressure to rein in the Israeli offensive, with President Donald Trump taking a direct role in securing the agreement.
The Gaza escalation began almost immediately after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which ended late last month.
That conflict erupted after Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting a retaliatory missile barrage from Tehran. The fighting threatened to draw in broader regional powers before Washington stepped in to negotiate a de-escalation.
President Trump’s intervention was seen as pivotal, warning both nations against further escalation and helping to broker a ceasefire on June 23.
Despite the agreement with Iran, Israel launched a renewed offensive in Gaza, citing ongoing threats from Hamas.
The strikes caused dozens of civilian deaths and widespread destruction, sparking international condemnation and urgent diplomatic engagement by Washington.
Trump personally urged Netanyahu to accept a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, describing the agreement as necessary to prevent further loss of life and to create space for long-term diplomatic solutions.
He also called on Hamas to accept the terms, which were delivered through regional intermediaries.
The war in Gaza traces back to Hamas’s deadly cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, which killed a number of Israelis and triggered a prolonged and destructive Israeli military campaign.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died since then, and much of Gaza’s infrastructure lies in ruins.
Netanyahu is expected at the White House on July 7 for his second visit in six months.
Talks will center on Gaza, regional security, and U.S.-Israel relations.
The ceasefire is likely to dominate the agenda, with Washington pushing for a broader framework to end the conflict and stabilize the region.
ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org