Netanyahu Continues Gaza Conflict for Political Gain, Says Biden

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may continue military operations in the Gaza Strip for political reasons, U.S. President Joe Biden stated in an interview with Time magazine.

“People have every reason to come to that conclusion,” the U.S. President said when asked if Netanyahu is extending the conflict in Gaza for political “self-preservation.”

Biden added that his views and those of Netanyahu differ most on the establishment of a Palestinian state. “There should be a two-state solution, moving toward that. That is my biggest disagreement with Mr. Netanyahu,” he noted.

Israel was subjected to an unprecedented large-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Following this, fighters from the Palestinian Hamas movement invaded border areas, opening fire on military personnel and civilians, and taking more than 200 hostages.

According to authorities, approximately 1,200 people have died. The Israel Defense Forces have begun operation “Iron Swords” in the Gaza Strip, which includes strikes on civilian infrastructure. Israel has announced a complete blockade of the enclave, halting supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicine.

According to the Gaza health ministry, over 36,000 people have died, and more than 82,000 have been injured. The Gaza Strip has effectively been divided into southern and northern parts.

On the night of May 7, Israeli ground forces entered Rafah, which is located at the border with Egypt. The city is considered Hamas's last stronghold.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has called for both sides to cease military operations. Moscow's position is that resolution is only possible based on a UN Security Council-approved resolution establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem.