Suara.com – The United States has again rejected peace in Gaza, Palestine between Israel and Hamas fighters. However, the US emphasized that it only supports extending the humanitarian pause.
“We do not support a permanent ceasefire. At this time, we support the idea of a humanitarian pause,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, quoted via Anadolu.
“We would like to see this seven-day pause turn into eight, nine, 10 days and so on. However, ultimately this will lead to Israel and Hamas agreeing to the parameters of extending the deal, but in the United States, they will continue to find support for an extension.” he continued.
A ceasefire agreed to by Hamas and Israel has been extended twice, however, it is set to expire on Thursday evening, raising the possibility of a return to hostilities in Gaza.
To date, the conflict in Gaza has caused more than 15,000 deaths, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women.
Israel indiscriminately attacked various public facilities such as hospitals and schools as an act claimed to be in response to Hamas.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, three Palestinians held in Israeli prisons have been released for every hostage freed by Hamas.
Much-needed humanitarian aid may also enter Gaza in larger quantities compared to what was seen during the war, but these amounts pale in comparison to previous days even though the need has increased drastically.
More than 1.7 million Palestinians have become refugees in the coastal region, most of them fleeing to the south where Israel has vowed to continue its offensive.
That’s equivalent to 80 percent of Gaza’s population, and half of the territory’s housing stock has been damaged or destroyed, according to UN estimates.
Earlier on Thursday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres again called for a ceasefire, saying it was “totally inadequate” to address human suffering.
“The amount of aid for Palestinians in Gaza is still insufficient to meet the enormous needs of more than 2 million people, and although the total volume of fuel permitted into Gaza has also increased, this amount is still not enough to sustain basic operations,” Guterres told the Council UN Security.
“Civilians in Gaza need humanitarian aid and fuel to continue flowing into and across the territory. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access for all in need is essential,” he added.