On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had cancelled a trip to Washington for an official delegation after the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Netanyahu said the decision was a message to Hamas, urging them not to trust international pressure to prevent Israel from taking action.
Netanyahu criticized the US abstention from the UN vote, calling it a mistake that encouraged Hamas to adopt a tough stance. The delegation was meant to discuss a possible military offensive in Rafah, but Netanyahu decided against it following Biden’s suggestion to consider targeting Hamas without a major ground offensive.
Talks for a ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing in Doha, despite the delegation’s withdrawal from Washington. The conflict has caused significant loss of life and ongoing negotiations for peace.