New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to deliver a speech to the US Congress this week, amid mounting pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. On Wednesday, Netanyahu will become the first foreign leader to address a joint meeting of Congress four times, surpassing Britains Winston Churchill, who addressed Congress three times.The ongoing conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 Hamas attacks. It created tensions between Israel and the United States, its key ally. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Washington is concerned about the high civilian casualties in Gaza and protests in Israel by families of hostages taken by Hamas are adding to Netanyahus challenges.Ceasefire negotiationsBoth Biden and some Israeli ministers believe that a ceasefire deal, negotiated through Qatar, Egyptian, and US mediators, is possible. A plan proposed in May suggested a six-week ceasefire, during which some Israeli hostages would be exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that negotiators are close to finalizing the deal, but Hamas accuses Netanyahu of obstructing it.Watch the video here:From the beginning of the war, I made it clear that Israel will act against all attackers, which is why we struck Houthi targets in Yemen yesterday in response to the deadly drone attack near the US Consulate in Tel Aviv.The targeted port is used for smuggling weapons from Iran… pic.twitter.com/7mO6s5dVGB— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 21, 2024Increased military pressureIsrael has intensified its military actions in Gaza, with Netanyahu arguing that military pressure is necessary to free the hostages and defeat Hamas. This double pressure is not delaying the deal – it is advancing it, Netanyahu told troops in Gaza.Devastating consequence of warThe October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages, with 116 still in Gaza. In retaliation, Israels campaign has led to the deaths of at least 38,919 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.Publicly, Biden has expressed strong support for Israel but has also shown concern over certain Israeli military actions. He suspended the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel after an offensive on the southern city of Rafah in May. The US still embargoes 2,000-pound bombs.Netanyahus goalsNetanyahu aims to reassure the US of Israels strong ties and to shift the focus from the Gaza conflict to the threat posed by Iran and its proxies. His trip will be closely watched, especially to see if he meets with Donald Trump or other prominent Republicans.
