In the ongoing conflict that has stretched over seven weeks, the U.S. State Department faced queries regarding the Biden administration’s vision for peace and the subsequent steps to be undertaken. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the necessity of placing Palestinian interests at the core of any resolution, advocating for the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state that would encompass both the West Bank and Gaza, enabling Palestinians to self-determine their future. This stance, Miller highlighted, should be autonomously determined by the Palestinians, without impositions from the U.S. or Israel.
When a journalist highlighted potential contradictions between U.S. policy and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stance on retaining military control in Gaza, Miller clarified the need for broader discussions with Israel, Palestinian representatives, and regional players to outline a sustainable path forward. He reiterated the U.S. position against a resurgence of Hamas governance in Gaza, referencing recent assertions from Hamas leaders about their intentions to perpetuate the conflict.
The U.S. administration’s goal, according to Miller, is to prevent a scenario where Gaza becomes a launching pad for further hostilities against Israel. Hamas, which gained control in Gaza through elections in 2007, has since been internationally recognized as a terrorist organization by several entities, including Israel, the U.S., the U.K., and the E.U., and has been accused of instigating a regime of terror while attempting to enforce strict sharia law over its governance period.