Joe Biden Announces Israeli Ceasefire for Ramadan, Paving Way for Two-State Solution

U.S. President Joe Biden revealed that Israel has agreed to refrain from military activities in Gaza during Ramadan, in efforts to facilitate the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah in Gaza's south. He emphasized that the Jewish state risks losing global support as the conflict with Hamas persists, resulting in high Palestinian casualties.

Ramadan Ceasefire Agreement

President Biden mentioned that Israel had committed to a temporary ceasefire during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is anticipated to start on the evening of March 10 and conclude on the evening of April 9. This ceasefire would provide an opportunity for hostages to be released and for Palestinians to evacuate from Gaza's south, particularly from Rafah, before Israel intensifies its operations against Hamas.

Moving Towards a Two-State Solution

Biden expressed optimism that a temporary ceasefire would improve Israel's relationships with its neighbors and pave the way for advancing the Palestinian cause towards statehood. He highlighted the potential for Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and others, to recognize Israel, indicating that a process for a two-state solution could be initiated to ensure both Israeli security and Palestinian independence.

Challenges and Responses

Despite Biden's hopes for a ceasefire within a week, little progress has been observed from Israel, Hamas, and the mediating countries, Qatar and Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the idea of a two-state solution, emphasizing the need to resist pressures aimed at prematurely ending the conflict. Netanyahu's stance seeks to secure continued American public support for Israel.

On the other hand, President Biden has faced a decline in support from young Americans and left-leaning progressive voters due to his unwavering backing of Israel, coupled with the substantial civilian casualties among Palestinians. Biden stressed the urgency of preventing further loss of innocent lives and the need for Israel to demonstrate restraint in its military actions.

Global Support and Perspectives

Biden cautioned that if Israel continues its current course, it risks losing significant international support, stating that the nation has previously received overwhelming backing from the majority of countries. He underscored the importance of Israel avoiding actions that could lead to a loss of goodwill and solidarity from the global community.

Furthermore, Netanyahu referenced a Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll that revealed 82% of Americans favor Israel over Hamas, emphasizing the successes achieved and the determination to pursue the campaign until achieving "total victory."

As tensions persist in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the international community closely monitors the developments and diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation and moving towards a sustainable resolution.