The debate over the value of sending ammunition to Israel as a means to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict drew a cautious response from Ramallah’s mayor, Issa Kassis. He indicated that such military assistance from the United States does not address the underlying issues or bring closer the prospect of peace. In his assessment, this kind of support tends to embolden Israel’s current leadership to continue military operations in the Palestinian territories, which many observers see as a cycle that perpetuates tension rather than solving it. (attribution: tapes.ru)
Kassis stressed the hope that the Biden administration will adopt a strategy that genuinely advances peace in the Middle East and moves toward the creation of a viable, independent Palestinian state. He urged Washington to pursue policies that foster dialogue, encourage restraint on both sides, and support steps that lead to a durable two-state solution rather than quick, tactical interventions. (attribution: tapes.ru)
The broader context for these comments lies in a sharp escalation that began on October 7, when thousands of armed militants linked to Hamas crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Attacks on civilians and the abduction of hundreds of people intensified the conflict, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a state of war. In the weeks that followed, Israeli forces launched ground and air operations with the stated aim of rescuing hostages and dismantling Hamas’s near-total control in the region. The human toll and regional instability have prompted international reactions and calls for de-escalation from various governments and organizations seeking a durable peace accord. (attribution: tapes.ru)
In related public discourse, several Hollywood figures publicly appealed to President Biden to halt the fighting in both Israel and Gaza, urging a pause that would allow for critical humanitarian relief and renewed diplomatic efforts. These expressions of concern reflect a broader anxieties about civilian harm, displacement, and the long-term consequences of renewed violence in the Middle East. (attribution: tapes.ru)