Gaza War: As Israel prepares for Rafah assault, Joe Biden urges ceasefire

For several months, US President Joe Biden longed for a "pause" in the hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. But his tone is changing to stress the necessity of a "temporary ceasefire" as Israel gets ready for a major offensive in Rafah.

Although it may seem like a small rhetorical distinction, Biden is moving closer to supporters of a permanent ceasefire in a conflict that has claimed the lives of almost 30,000 Palestinians both globally and among his own Democratic Party members.

Three draft resolutions on the Israel-Hamas conflict have been vetoed by the United States. The last two vetoes prevented text that called for an instant humanitarian cease-fire. However, Washington has now put out a draft resolution of its own that enshrines the term "ceasefire."

Three draft resolutions on the Israel-Hamas conflict have been vetoed by the United States. The last two vetoes prevented text that called for an instant humanitarian cease-fire. However, Washington has now put out a draft resolution of its own that enshrines the term "ceasefire".

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The draft opposes a significant ground offensive by its ally Israel in Rafah and asks for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

According to US sources, Biden's linguistic shift is unrelated to his detractors. Rather, they claimed, it is a reflection of the fierce negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement that would see a six- to eight-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages detained in Gaza and a quicker supply of humanitarian goods to civilian areas.

The White House believes that if hostilities can be halted for that extended of a period, then perhaps an even longer ceasefire will follow. However, attempts to bring the conflict to an end will be hampered by an Israeli onslaught in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where over a million Palestinians have sought safety.

Biden is not advocating for a long-term truce, according to US officials, which is a reflection of his gut feeling that Israel has the right to defend itself after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7.