WILMINGTON, Del. (NEWSnet/AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden says achieving cease-fire amid Israel's war with Hamas “is not peace” and a key to stability is a reunited Gaza Strip and West Bank that can be governed under “a revitalized Palestinian Authority.”

In an op-ed published Saturday in The Washington Post, Biden reiterated his position that a temporary halt to the fighting isn't a realistic possibility and ultimately would not advance greater U.S. objectives. Instead, he and top U.S. officials revived discussion of working toward a two-state solution for  governance of Gaza.

Biden used the op-ed to offer details about how the process would work.

“As we strive for peace, Gaza and the West Bank should be reunited under a single governance structure, ultimately under a revitalized Palestinian Authority, as we all work toward a two-state solution,” Biden wrote. “I have been emphatic with Israel’s leaders that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop, and that those committing the violence must be held accountable."

U.S. is providing weapons and intelligence support to Israel as it mounts an offensive into Gaza.

Biden has spoken repeatedly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and says he’s working for the release of Hamas-held hostages, including some Americans.

“As long as Hamas clings to its ideology of destruction, a cease-fire is not peace,” Biden wrote. “To Hamas’ members, every cease-fire is time they exploit to rebuild their stockpile of rockets, reposition fighters and restart the killing by attacking innocents again.”

Biden also noted “an outcome that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza would once more perpetuate its hate and deny Palestinian civilians the chance to build something better for themselves.”

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