Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Address US Congress
US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon address the US Congress amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza strip. The visit is seen as a strong show of support for the Israeli government.
Recent Developments
- Three European countries recently recognized a Palestinian state.
- The International Criminal Court prosecutor plans to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
US Support for Israel
The United States has been a consistent supporter of Israel since the conflict began with a cross-border attack by Hamas militants on October 7. However, President Joe Biden has been urging Netanyahu to scale back military operations in Gaza due to civilian casualties, threatening to halt arms supplies, a stance that has drawn criticism from Republicans.
Challenges Faced
The White House has expressed frustration with Israel’s military actions in Rafah, Gaza, where a large number of civilians are seeking refuge. Republicans have condemned Biden’s threat to cut off arms supply, accusing him of siding with Hamas.
Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has led to a significant loss of life, with over 1,170 people, mostly civilians, reported dead following Hamas’s initial attack. Israeli retaliatory strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 35,800 individuals in Gaza, including many women and children.