Biden: very concerned that Gaza will turn into Mogadishu

Washington February 27, 2024 (QJ) -US President Joe Biden, has stated that he hopes a ceasefire to be reached before Monday’s start of Ramadan.

A draft plan suggests this could lead to a forty-day pause, which would halt military operations to allow the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

A ceasefire plan is being proposed to potentially end military operations to facilitate aid delivery to Israeli-blockaded territories controlled by Hamas.

Additionally, tens of thousands of Palestinian households will also receive aid. Some buildings will undergo reconstruction, and a significant number of trucks loaded with aid will be allowed in, according to Reuters news agency.

Biden has urged Israel to cease targeting Hamas’ key police officials who oversee the management of Gaza’s civilian cargo trucks.

He stated that they are “very concerned that Gaza will turn into Mogadishu” as the region faces instability, due to frequent attacks on aid trucks, which heavily disrupt the previously established humanitarian framework.

Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, has been described as one of the most lawless and dangerous cities globally.

Members of Hamas-run police units have been deployed to Rafah and Gaza’s Kerem Shalom crossing, to ensure the security of aid trucks. But they left their jobs earlier this month after being targeted by Israel.

At least 11 members of the Palestinian police force stationed in Rafah were killed in an airstrike conducted by Israel in the last few days, as reported by U.S. officials. This has prompted concerns among relief groups that they may be targeted while carrying out aid operations, according to the officials.