Diplomatic efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict are intensifying as British Foreign Minister David Lammy and his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné prepare to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories. This initiative comes amid ongoing tensions and violence in the region, with the death toll in Gaza reportedly surpassing 40,000 according to UN estimates.Meanwhile, the situation in the West Bank has deteriorated, with Israeli settlers’ attacks on Palestinians drawing widespread condemnation. A recent incident in the village of Jit resulted in the death of a 23-year-old Palestinian man and critical injuries to another. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have strongly condemned these attacks, with Netanyahu stating that those responsible will be ‘caught and prosecuted’.The White House has also weighed in, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby describing the settler violence as ‘unacceptable’ and calling for it to stop immediately. The US administration has urged Israeli authorities to take measures to protect all communities and hold perpetrators accountable.On the political front in the United States, former President Donald Trump has criticized calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, stating that he wants Israel to ‘win fast’. Trump has also accused Vice President Kamala Harris of betraying Israel ‘to appease the Hamas caucus and the radical Democrat Party’. These comments come as the US, along with Egypt and Qatar, are scheduled to hold a new round of Gaza ceasefire negotiations.As diplomatic efforts continue, the Biden administration is attempting to delay potential Iranian and Hezbollah military retaliation against Israel. The US is expected to present a final bridging proposal that includes the release of all hostages, a vaccination campaign, and restoration of services to displaced Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Key points
- British and French foreign ministers plan to visit Israel and Palestinian territories to promote a diplomatic solution to the Gaza conflict.
- Israeli settler attacks in the West Bank have resulted in Palestinian casualties and drawn condemnation from Israeli leadership and the White House.
- Former US President Donald Trump has criticized calls for a Gaza ceasefire, while the Biden administration continues diplomatic efforts.
Contradictions👾While Israeli leadership condemns settler violence, the Israeli government has been accused of turning a blind eye to such attacks in recent years.
