Israel "Will Continue Attacks on Gaza Strip for Next Two Days"...Suggests Possibility of Ceasefire

Biden Discusses Ceasefire Support Measures with Netanyahu in Call
Palestinian Authority Leader Also Requests U.S. Mediation and Intervention

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Israel has announced that it will continue airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in Palestine for two more days, raising expectations for a ceasefire agreement. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed support for ceasefire negotiations during a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian Authority has also requested U.S. mediation, suggesting that a ceasefire agreement could be reached within 2-3 days.

According to local media such as the Times of Israel (TOI) on the 17th (local time), Aviv Kohavi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated at a press conference held that day, "The attacks on the Gaza Strip will continue for at least two more days," adding, "The operation will continue as long as necessary, and Hamas must be greatly surprised by our power and technology."

TOI analyzed that this announcement indicates that ceasefire negotiations will take place soon. Citing a senior Israeli diplomatic source, TOI reported, "The ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are in the final stages and are estimated to take up to two more days."

Previously, Israel had rejected ceasefire mediation proposals from the United Nations (UN), Egypt, and other international communities, but with the U.S. requesting a halt to hostilities and expressing support for ceasefire negotiations, it is presumed that Israel is signaling a willingness to reach a ceasefire agreement. The White House announced that President Biden conveyed his support for ceasefire negotiations to Prime Minister Netanyahu during their phone call that day.

The Palestinian Authority is also reportedly willing to accept U.S. mediation. According to CNN, Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, met with Hady Amr, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs and a special envoy dispatched by the U.S. State Department, and requested that the U.S. intervene quickly and mediate the situation.

The Palestinian side is understood to have requested U.S. mediation as the conflict entered its eighth day and casualties in the Gaza Strip increased. According to the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health on that day, the cumulative casualties from Israeli airstrikes stand at 204 dead and 1,305 injured. Israel stated that aside from minor injuries, there have been no additional fatalities.