U.S. officials call on Biden to support Gaza truce
U.S. President Joe Biden (photo: Getty Images)
More than 130 employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to bring about an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, reports CNN.
“We join our colleagues and peers on Capitol Hill, USAID, Department of State, and across the Executive Branch who have expressed similar concerns in urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities,” the letter said.
It is noted that the authors of the appeal to the American leader are employees of several federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the US Citizenship and Immigration Service.
The employees said they signed the letter anonymously out of concern for personal safety and the risk of professional repercussions.
Also in November, more than 700 employees working in more than 30 departments and agencies, including the FBI, signed a letter calling on Biden to support a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The war between Israel and Hamas
As a reminder, Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7. The terrorists began killing and kidnapping both military and civilians. Soon after, Jerusalem announced Operation Iron Swords and shelled terrorist sites in the Gaza Strip.
On November 24, a temporary truce began between Israel and Hamas to release prisoners. But on December 1, Israel resumed hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The IDF said that Hamas had violated the terms of the truce.
US President Joe Biden said that Israel is beginning to lose global support because of the "indiscriminate bombing" of the Gaza Strip. The UN General Assembly also voted by a majority to demand a ceasefire.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that international pressure would not stop the war against Hamas.
On December 15, during the fighting in northern Gaza, three Hamas hostages escaped from captivity on their own, but the Israeli military mistakenly recognized them as a threat and shot them dead. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant took responsibility for the tragic incident.
