Netanyahu Resists Calls for Ceasefire

After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would continue to attack the Gaza Strip.

Blinken's calls for a ceasefire were based on a desire to get humanitarian aid to the many civilians living in the Gaza Strip. Much of the aid comes through the Rafah crossing on Egypt's border. However, as long as the war continues, the aid could stay locked away behind borders. Netanyahu has said that a temporary ceasefire would have to involve a return of Israeli hostages.

President Joe Biden (D) echoed Blinken's requests for a ceasefire saying, "I think we need a pause." In response to the specifics of the proposed ceasefire, Blinken said "There are a number of very important practical questions that go along with this that we've agreed to discuss and work on."

The secretary of state stated the U.S. supported Israel's right to "defend itself and do everything possible" to prevent another attack on its soil like the one on Oct. 7.

Recently, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has threatened to further involve the militia in the war. Furthermore, Nasrallah stated that the Lebanese militia was actively fighting Israeli troops at the Israel-Lebanon border.

“Some say I’m going to announce that we have entered the battle,” said Nasrallah. “We already entered the battle on Oct. 8.”

Nasrallah has made public statements praising the Hamas invasion that killed 1,400 people, and Hamas has made repeated requests for Hezbollah to fully involve itself in the war.

In response to Nasrallah's threatening statements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the Hezbollah leader, stating, “Don’t test us.” He continued by saying that Israel would "exact a price you can’t even imagine."

The U.S. has stood by Israel in its battle against Hamas. Recently, discussion on a foreign aid package to Israel began as the House tried to pass the legislation. That said, the GOP-backed bill is expected to be vetoed by Biden.