Countries are now mounting pressure on both sides to end the war.
Israel’s staunchest allies, including the United States, are now using their toughest language to call for an immediate ceasefire.
There is “increasing frustration on the part of the United States”, particularly on how Israel is conducting this war, said Dr James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
“The US president was very firm about what he wanted. That included the ceasefire, that included significantly scaled-up flow of aid into Gaza and protection of civilians.”
US President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Mr Netanyahu last Thursday following a deadly Israeli strike that killed seven humanitarian workers in Gaza, “made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action” to curtail the killing of civilians and aid workers and improve the dire humanitarian situation.
“International opinion is not something Israel pays attention to,” Dr Dorsey told CNA’s Asia Now on Sunday.
“(But) it pays attention to the US’ opinion, and it pays attention to the stance that the Biden administration is taking.”
Within hours of the 30-minute phone call between the two leaders, Mr Netanyahu’s office said it would temporarily allow more aid to flow into Gaza.
“He took some measures to try and answer at least some of Biden’s demands,” said Dr Dorsey.
“Fact of the matter is, however, that Israel’s international standing has been devastatingly tarnished, and it’s going to take quite an effort to repair that damage.”
Source: CNA
