Top US general: Israel ‘very much’ at risk of inspiring Palestinians to join Hamas

Israel’s War in ​Gaza Poses Risk of Inspiring More Palestinians to Join Hamas, Says ⁢Top US‍ General

According to President Joe Biden’s top military adviser, ⁣Israel’s⁤ ongoing war in Gaza carries a significant danger of motivating Palestinian civilians to join Hamas.

“Yes, very much so,” stated Gen. Charles ‍Q. Brown, chairman⁣ of the⁣ Joint Chiefs of Staff. “That’s ⁣why when⁤ we talk about⁢ time — the faster ‍you can get to a point where you stop the hostilities, ‌you have less strife⁤ for the civilian population that turns into someone who ⁤now wants to‍ be the next ⁢member of Hamas.”

Gen. Brown, who recently assumed the⁢ role of chairman,⁣ faced unexpected⁤ challenges ​in his⁤ first month in office due to the‌ violent actions of ​Hamas terrorists.‍ The US has supported Israel’s‍ right to defend itself against ⁤the terrorist ‌group, ‍but concerns have arisen regarding Israel’s military tactics and​ resistance ⁢to humanitarian ​pauses⁤ in the conflict.

Protecting⁣ Civilians and Providing Humanitarian Assistance

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd​ Austin have emphasized the need to protect Palestinian civilians and ‍ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.

“Far too many Palestinians have been killed;‌ far too many have suffered these past weeks. And we want to do​ everything possible ⁢to prevent harm to them and to maximize⁣ the assistance that⁣ gets to them,” said Blinken.

The conflict has left Palestinian ⁤civilians in dire circumstances, with intense bombardment causing a ⁤real threat ⁣of malnutrition and starvation. Hamas, which has embedded its military outposts in civilian infrastructure, has used the‌ resulting civilian ‌casualties to demand an end to Israel’s military operation.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav ‌Gallant has vowed to pursue ​and eliminate⁢ all those‍ who have harmed Israeli citizens, but Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh believes that eliminating Hamas is an unattainable goal.

While acknowledging the difficulty of the Israeli military​ task, Gen.⁢ Brown remains diplomatic in his assessment.

“It’s a pretty large order,” he said.

However, Hamas’s conduct during the war has also ⁢fueled Palestinian anger towards the group. At⁤ a press conference,⁤ a man with a wounded hand shouted at a Hamas spokesperson, ⁤holding them accountable for their ⁢actions.

Israeli officials have urged Palestinian civilians to evacuate to southern Gaza,⁢ and daily four-hour pauses in the fighting⁢ have been agreed upon to facilitate the​ safe passage of civilians. ‍Secretary Blinken ⁤stressed the need for‌ Israel to do more ⁣to prevent civilian ⁣casualties and increase humanitarian assistance.

“We ⁢have‍ concrete plans, concrete⁤ things that we’re working on that ​would do just⁢ that,” he stated. “And as⁢ I’ve said from the start, ⁣this is a process, and it’s not always flipping a light switch, but we have seen progress.​ We ⁣just need to see more of it, and we need to maximize every effort to prevent Palestinian deaths and to‍ advance the humanitarian assistance that’s getting to ⁢them.”

What long-term effects are the violence and destruction in the war‌ having on the Palestinian population and why is it concerning?

Ny innocent civilians have tragically lost⁣ their lives in‍ this conflict,” said Secretary Blinken. “It is crucial that all parties take‍ every necessary step to protect civilian life and minimize harm to ‌civilian infrastructure.”

The US government has been working closely with international partners to provide humanitarian​ assistance to the people of Gaza. On May 20, President Biden announced that ‍the US would provide $75 million in additional aid to address immediate humanitarian needs and support the UN⁤ Relief and Works Agency ‍for Palestine Refugees in⁣ the Near East (UNRWA).

Despite these efforts, the continued violence and ⁤destruction caused ‌by the war have raised concerns about the long-term effects on the Palestinian population. Gen. Brown’s warning about the potential ⁢recruitment of Palestinians to join Hamas highlights the importance of finding a swift and sustainable solution to the conflict.

Creating‍ ‌a‍ Path‍ to‍ Peace

The Biden​ administration has‍ expressed⁣ its commitment to working towards a lasting peace between Israelis⁢ and Palestinians. President Biden has stated‍ that he believes a two-state solution is⁢ the best ⁢way to achieve peace and security for both ⁤sides.

“I remain ⁣committed⁢ to the ‌two-state solution,” ‌President Biden said during a press conference. “It’s the only answer. That’s ⁣why I’ve asked the Israelis to continue to take steps to promote that outcome.”

The US is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to ​the hostilities. Secretary Blinken recently ‍met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and has called on both parties to cease the fighting and negotiate a⁣ lasting ceasefire.

“We’ve been working⁢ around the clock through diplomatic channels to try to ⁣bring⁤ an end to the conflict,” Secretary Blinken said. “We’ve ​made​ clear in our engagements directly with Israelis, Palestinians, and others, that the violence must stop.”

The Role of Hamas

Hamas, the political and military organization that ​controls Gaza, ⁤has been designated as a terrorist group by⁢ the US and several other countries. Its rocket attacks on ​Israeli cities have led to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in a significant loss ⁢of life and destruction.

The actions of Hamas have been condemned by the international community, including the US. Gen. Brown emphasized the ​need to address the root causes that allow groups‌ like Hamas to thrive.

“We also have to deal with the underlying conditions and the frustrations that are ‌felt,” Gen. Brown said. “To solve this problem, we⁢ have to understand why‍ people join those types of organizations.”

Efforts⁤ to counter⁤ the influence of Hamas ⁤and promote stability in the region⁤ require addressing the economic and political grievances of the⁣ Palestinian people.⁢ This includes⁢ supporting economic development, promoting ‌good governance, and fostering dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

The Road Ahead

The⁢ current‍ war in Gaza has highlighted the complexity and urgency of finding a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The risks posed by the conflict, including the potential recruitment of Palestinians by Hamas, underscore the need for swift action.

The ⁤Biden administration remains committed to ⁢facilitating peace talks and working towards a two-state solution. The US, along ⁤with its international partners, will continue to support efforts to protect civilians, provide humanitarian assistance, and address the root causes of the conflict.

“Ultimately, a ⁢sustainable‍ peace will require significant steps by both⁤ parties ‌to rebuild trust and create a better future,” Secretary Blinken said. “The United States will continue⁣ to work with Israelis‌ and Palestinians to achieve that goal.”

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