The former leader of NATO expressed support for a “humanitarian pause” in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. He emphasized the importance of assisting civilians in the region but stopped short of endorsing a complete cease-fire.
Retired U.S. Adm. James Stavridis stated in an interview with MSNBC on Friday that a broad cease-fire might not be appropriate from a military perspective, particularly considering Israel’s standpoint. Instead, he advocated for humanitarian pauses.
The Biden administration has also been pushing for a pause in the fighting to alleviate the suffering of civilians. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reports that over 9,200 people, including 3,800 children, have been killed in Israel’s counteroffensive.
Stavridis clarified that a cease-fire entails a complete halt to all actions, which goes against Israel’s military strategy and is not recommended by him as a military officer. Therefore, he believes humanitarian pauses are a more reasonable approach.
President Biden initially voiced his support for a pause on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to ensure the release of prisoners. Nonprofit organizations and aid groups have described the dire conditions faced by civilians in Gaza, including the shortage of food, water, power, and medical supplies.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Israel on Saturday to deliver a similar message. However, the Biden administration has not fully supported a complete cease-fire. A group of Democratic Senators, numbering over a dozen, urged Biden to endorse a cessation of hostilities this week, citing the risks faced by civilians and aid workers in Gaza. The conflict originated on Oct. 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the death of over 1,400 Israelis and the hostage-taking of over 200 individuals.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that there will be no pause in strikes until Hamas releases all the hostages. Stay updated on the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video by visiting The Hill.
