Biden hopes to next achieve a cease-fire in Gaza before his term ends, with an agreement for a Palestinian state and security for Israel
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Hezbollah fighters in Southern Lebanon in 2023, via Tasnim News Service
November 28, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – In a historic accord, on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France issued a joint statement announcing that after “weeks of tireless diplomacy,” Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a cease fire that went into effect yesterday.
“The United States and France will work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure this arrangement is fully implemented and enforced,” the statement continued. Though the U.S. has supported Israel including sending war planes used to bomb Hezbollah targets, U.S. troops will not be sent to the region, the President assured.
The agreement includes assurances that Israel will be secure from threats by Hezbollah, which has been bombing Israel from southern Lebanon, and other terrorist groups. Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River, about 20 miles from the Blue Line marking the Israel-Lebanon border.
Over the next six weeks, stabilization of southern Lebanon is to be provided by the Lebanese army and State Security Forces will deploy 10,000 troops, under international supervision. The agreement also includes withdrawal of Israeli forces, ultimately allowing residents of both Israel and southern Lebanon to return safely to their homes.
But President Biden made clear in a press conference, “This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.”
President Biden, in a press conference, noted that over 70,000 Israelis and over 300,000 Lebanese people have been forced to live as refugees in their own countries due to Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, bombing Israeli communities and Israel retailing with military strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.
Photo, right, via Israeli Defense Forces: F-151 fighter jet provided by the Biden administration to Israel, shown here in bombing run against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in September 2024.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he supported the agreement, along with Israel’s Security Cabinet, to focus on the threat from Iran, which has backed Hezbollah, and to work toward bringing hostages taken by Hamas home now that Israeli actions have killed Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and decimated its ranks. Netanyahu has made clear that Israel reserves the right to respond militarily if the agreement is violated, such as if Hezbollah resumes bombing, building tunnels or bringing in more weapons, San Diego Jewish World reports.
The peace is a fragile one. Already in the past 24 hours, each side has accused the other of violating the cease-fire. Israel claims Hezbollah was moving its people into the no-go zone, and responded with warning shots from drones followed by bombing of a missile storage site. Hezbollah has claimed these were Lebanese civilians returning, though civilians have been warned to stay out of the area until it has been made safe.
Mike Huckabeee, Trump’s U.S. ambassador to Israel designee, told Fox News the peace agreement is “certainly good news” for both Israelis and Lebanese, “if it holds, but the problem is that Hezbollah and its Iranian backed proxies like Hamas and the Houthis, they’ve never kept an agreement.”
Al Jazeera, an Arab news service, reports that tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese have begun returning home to southern Lebanon and celebrating in the streets, despite warnings from the Israeli military to wait until it is secured and Israeli forces have withdrawn.
Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican from San Diego who is of Lebanese descent, refused to acknowledge Biden’s contributions despite intense negotiations by the Biden administration. Issa tweeted, @realDonaldTrump deserves credit for peace in the Middle East. Biden deserve none.”
However the international media hails Biden, along with Macron, for achieving the daunting task of a cease fire in Lebanon and aspiring for a broader peace.
Reuters, the French news service, calls the ceasefire agreement “a rare diplomatic feat in a region racked by conflict.”
Similarly, the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, makes clear, “The US, Israel's key backer, had led the charge with France in negotiating the deal in Lebanon.”
According to Reuters, Hezbollah strikes in Israel have killed 45 civilians and 73 Israeli soldiers, while Israel strikes in Lebanon have killed 3,961 people and injured 16,520 more. According to Israel, however, all but a handful of those kills were Hezbollah militants, not civilians.
As for the Gaza conflict, President Biden made clear that while he blames Hamas for initiating the war by slaughtering over 1,300 Israeli civilians on Oct. 7,2023, the people of Gaza have “been through hell” and deserve an end to the fighting and displacement. Over 40,000 Gazans have been killed as a result of Israel’s relentless military campaign to destroy Hamas.
Biden faults Hamas for refusing to “negotiate a good faith ceasefire and a hostage deal.” He said Hamas now has a choice to make, and that the “only way out is to release the hostages including American citizens” in order to “bring an end to the fighting which will make possible a surge of humanitarian relief.”
Next up, Biden revealed that in the coming days, the U.S. will be pushing along with allies in Turkey, Egypt and Qatar to attain a cease fire in Gaza. Any such agreement would have to include plans for a future Palestinian state as well as assurances that it cannot threaten Israel or harbor terrorist groups backed by Iran.
President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, and has pledged to be a staunch supporter of Israel and a hard-liner against terorrism, though domestically he has drawn criticism for praising anti-Semitic leaders, such as saying of Swastika-bearing marchers in Charlston, "There are good people on both sides."
The U.S. is also prepared in the waning days of the Biden administration to conclude historic deals with Saudi Arabia including a security pact and economic assurances, along with what Biden described as “a credible pathway for establishing a Palestinian state and the full normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel."
President Biden pledged, "In my remaining time in office, I will work tirelessly to advance this vision for an integrated, secure and prosperous region—all of which strengthens America’s national security.”
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Gaza bombing by Israel, WAFA for news agency APA, creative commons via WIkiPalestine
January 15, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden today announced, “After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
The deal is slated to halt fighting in Gaza, surge humanitarian aide to Palestinian civilians, and return hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Biden indicated the cease-fire is based on a plan he laid out May 31,which the United Nations Security Council endorsed. The action comes after a cease-fire in Lebanon with Hezbollah and weakening of Iran, both allies of Hamas.
T
he Hamas attack killed over 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s military retaliation in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, displacing up to 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, according to the Associated Press. Many of those are injured, have lost homes, or at risk of famine.
Photo, right: Hamas attack at Jewish kibbutz in Israel, via Israeli press office
“It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin,” said Biden, who voiced empathy for Israeli families who lost loved ones in the Hamas attack as well as for the “many innocent people killed in the war that followed.”
An estimated 100 hostages remain in Gaza, though the Israeli military believes at least a third are dead, according to the Associated Press. Seven American families have members taken hostage by Hamas, of whom three are believed to still be alive.
The cease-fire calls for a phased plan starting with release of 33 women, children, wounded civilians and older adults in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children prisoners. Soldiers and other male captives will be released in the second-phase.
The deal comes after U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump stated on social media last month that there would be “hell to pay” if hostages were not released by his inauguration on January 20. “It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” he later told reporters.
News of the cease fire prompted mixed reactions.
The Jewish Democratic Council of America stated that its members are “relieved and hopeful that the hostages will soon be reunited with their loved ones” and thanked President Biden and his team. The group urged the incoming Trump administration to “follow through on the measurable progress made by President Biden to end the war in Gaza and ensure that all parties honor their commitments.”
Crowds gathered in Gaza to celebrate news of the cease fire deal, CBS reports. "I am very happy, and today is the day I wished to hear about since the beginning of the war. God is sending us hope,” an elderly man told CBS.
Hamas leader al-Hayya, however, hinted at revenge, Al-Jazeera reports. “We say, in the name of the orphans and the children and the widows, in the name of people with destroyed homes, in the name of the families of the martyrs and the wounded, in the name of all the victims, in the name of every drop of blood that was spilled, and in the name of every tear of pain and agony: We won’t forget, and we won’t forgive,” al-Hayya said.
The World Jewish Conference took a longer term view, “This is not just Israel’s battle; it is a fight for the values of humanity itself,” the group stated, San Diego Jewish World reports. “The international community must keep up the pressure on Hamas and refuse to again allow terror to reign over the Gaza Strip. Only when terrorism is eradicated and the rule of law and decency restored can Israelis and Palestinians begin to live side by side in lasting peace and security. “Today, we are grateful to those who brought about this agreement, and we insist that it by fully implemented. But we also redouble our commitment to a secure future for Israel and the region. The road ahead is steep, but we are steadfast in our belief that even in darkness, light can prevail.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the ceasefire announcement, adding, “The priority now must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict. The United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” he said at a news conference.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Gaza bombing by Israel, WAFA for news agency APA, creative commons via WIkiPalestine
January 15, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden today announced, “After many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal.”
The deal is slated to halt fighting in Gaza, surge humanitarian aide to Palestinian civilians, and return hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Biden indicated the cease-fire is based on a plan he laid out May 31,which the United Nations Security Council endorsed. The action comes after a cease-fire in Lebanon with Hezbollah and weakening of Iran, both allies of Hamas.
The Hamas attack killed over 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s military retaliation in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, displacing up to 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, according to the Associated Press. Many of those are injured, have lost homes, or at risk of famine.
Photo, right: Hamas attack at Jewish kibbutz in Israel, via Israeli press office
“It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin,” said Biden, who voiced empathy for Israeli families who lost loved ones in the Hamas attack as well as for the “many innocent people killed in the war that followed.”
An estimated 100 hostages remain in Gaza, though the Israeli military believes at least a third are dead, according to the Associated Press. Seven American families have members taken hostage by Hamas, of whom three are believed to still be alive.
The cease-fire calls for a phased plan starting with release of 33 women, children, wounded civilians and older adults in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children prisoners. Soldiers and other male captives will be released in the second-phase.
The deal comes after U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump stated on social media last month that there would be “hell to pay” if hostages were not released by his inauguration on January 20. “It will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” he later told reporters.
News of the cease fire prompted mixed reactions.
The Jewish Democratic Council of America stated that its members are “relieved and hopeful that the hostages will soon be reunited with their loved ones” and thanked President Biden and his team. The group urged the incoming Trump administration to “follow through on the measurable progress made by President Biden to end the war in Gaza and ensure that all parties honor their commitments.”
Crowds gathered in Gaza to celebrate news of the cease fire deal, CBS reports. "I am very happy, and today is the day I wished to hear about since the beginning of the war. God is sending us hope,” an elderly man told CBS.
Hamas leader al-Hayya, however, hinted at revenge, Al-Jazeera reports. “We say, in the name of the orphans and the children and the widows, in the name of people with destroyed homes, in the name of the families of the martyrs and the wounded, in the name of all the victims, in the name of every drop of blood that was spilled, and in the name of every tear of pain and agony: We won’t forget, and we won’t forgive,” al-Hayya said.
The World Jewish Conference took a longer term view, “This is not just Israel’s battle; it is a fight for the values of humanity itself,” the group stated, San Diego Jewish World reports. “The international community must keep up the pressure on Hamas and refuse to again allow terror to reign over the Gaza Strip. Only when terrorism is eradicated and the rule of law and decency restored can Israelis and Palestinians begin to live side by side in lasting peace and security. “Today, we are grateful to those who brought about this agreement, and we insist that it by fully implemented. But we also redouble our commitment to a secure future for Israel and the region. The road ahead is steep, but we are steadfast in our belief that even in darkness, light can prevail.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the ceasefire announcement, adding, “The priority now must be to ease the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict. The United Nations stands ready to support the implementation of this deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” he said at a news conference.
January 8, 2025 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
U.S.
- Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100 (New York Times)
- Trump Won't Rule Out Military Action in Greenland, Panama (Time)
- Honduras Threatens US Military Bases Over Trump's Mass Deportations
- US Congress certifies Trump election victory with Harris presiding (Reuters)
- Johnson Ekes Out a Win to Stay Speaker, But Dicey Proceedings Signal Trouble For Trump (Time)
- Treasury says China hacked documents in 'major' cyber incident
- US plans $8bn arms sale to Israel (BBC)
- Trump's Greenland and Panama Canal ambitions face Republican skepticism (The Hill)
WORLD
- Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau says he will resign after new party leader chosen (CNN)
- Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
- German government condemns New Year's Eve violence after hundreds of arrests
- Ceremonies mark full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Europe's Schengen travel zone (AP)
- Canadian leaders say Trump’s talk about Canada becoming the 51st state isn’t funny anymore (AP)
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
U.S.
Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100 (New York Times)
Rising from Georgia farmland to the White House, he oversaw the historic Camp David peace accords, but his one-term presidency was waylaid by troubles at home and abroad... Tributes poured in from presidents, world leaders and many everyday people from around the world who admired not only Mr. Carter’s service during four years in the White House but his four decades of efforts since leaving office to fight disease, broker peace and provide for the poor.
Trump Won't Rule Out Military Action in Greenland, Panama (Time)
President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to rule out using the U.S. military to acquire Greenland or the Panama Canal, ideas he has repeatedly floated since winning the election. “It might be that you’ll have to do something,” Trump said during an hourlong press conference at Mar-a-Lago when asked about whether he would vow to not use the military. “I can’t assure you—you’re talking about Panama and Greenland—no, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: We need them for economic security.” He threatened to hit Denmark with tariffs “at a very high level” if the country refuses to give over Greenland to the U.S.
Honduras Threatens US Military Bases Over Trump's Mass Deportations
Honduras has threatened to shut down rent-free United States military bases in the country if President-elect Donald Trump carries out his mass deportation policy. President Xiomara Castro said officials would consider "a change in our policies of cooperation with the United States, especially in the military arena," in the face of "unnecessary reprisals against our migrants."
US Congress certifies Trump election victory with Harris presiding (Reuters)
The U.S. Congress formally certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump's election victory on Monday during a session presided over by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the November contest. The quadrennial ritual, clearing the way for Trump's inauguration in two weeks, went like clockwork and stood in sharp contrast to four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to block the certification of then-President Trump's 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.
Johnson Ekes Out a Win to Stay Speaker, But Dicey Proceedings Signal Trouble For Trump (Time)
In the end, the threat of a far-right revolt turned out to be more real than expected, as Republican Mike Johnson initially came up short Friday on the first ballot of his bid to stay Speaker. Only after some backroom arm-twisting and plenty of public embarrassment did he prevail on a day that offered an early sign that Republicans will struggle to achieve a unified governing majority in the second Trump era.
Treasury says China hacked documents in 'major' cyber incident
NPR - Chinese hackers remotely accessed several U.S. Treasury Department workstations and unclassified documents after compromising a third-party software service provider, the agency said Monday…. / The revelation comes as U.S. officials are continuing to grapple with the fallout of a massive Chinese cyberespionage campaign known as Salt Typhoon that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. A top White House official said Friday that the number of telecommunications companies confirmed to have been affected by the hack has now risen to nine.
US plans $8bn arms sale to Israel (BBC)
The weapons consignment, which needs approval from House and Senate committees, includes air-to-air missiles
Trump's Greenland and Panama Canal ambitions face Republican skepticism (The Hill)
Republican lawmakers are scratching their heads over President-elect Trump’s ambitions to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal, grand plans the incoming commander in chief put back on the table over the Christmas and New Year’s recess.
WORLD
Embattled Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau says he will resign after new party leader chosen (CNN)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, saying he intends to step down from the top job and as the leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party once a new party leader is chosen...Canada’s parliament will be suspended until March 24 while a new Liberal Party leader is chosen, he also said.
Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
NPR - Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables, police said, in the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure in the region. / The Eagle S is …part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankers…. / The Estlink-2 power cable, which brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea, went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines, both of which have been termed sabotage…. / [Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal] said repairs to the cable could take as long as seven months.
German government condemns New Year's Eve violence after hundreds of arrests
AP - The German government on Wednesday condemned a series of incidents on New Year’s Eve in which police officers and firefighters were attacked and injured, mostly with fireworks…. / In Berlin, 30 police officers and one firefighter were injured…leading to 400 arrests, city officials said. Hundreds of police officers from across the country were deployed to the capital to help prevent further violence. / Five people were killed and hundreds injured across the country after being hit accidentally by fireworks. / Explosions of very strong, illegal fireworks in Berlin also caused extensive damage in two Berlin neighborhoods and injured numerous people, some of them seriously. / Thirty-six apartments are currently uninhabitable, dpa reported.
Ceremonies mark full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Europe's Schengen travel zone (AP)
Ceremonies were held just before midnight Tuesday to mark Bulgaria’s and Romania’s full membership in Europe’s Schengen area, the culmination of years of negotiations by the Eastern European countries to join the ID check-free travel zone. Identification checks at the land borders between Bulgaria and Romania and their neighboring European Union-member countries were officially ceased at midnight, providing travelers free access to the rest of the 27-member EU bloc.
Canadian leaders say Trump’s talk about Canada becoming the 51st state isn’t funny anymore (AP)
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments that Canada should become the 51st state are no longer a joke and are meant to undermine America’s closest ally, Canada’s finance minister said Wednesday.