U.S. President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “hurting Israel more than helping it” in his handling of Hamas’ war in Gaza.
Biden expressed support for Israel’s right to pursue Hamas after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, but said Netanyahu “must pay more attention to the innocent lives lost as a result of the actions taken.”
Biden has warned for months that Israel could lose international support due to mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, and his latest remarks, in an interview with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, illustrate growing tensions between the two leaders.
“It’s contrary to what Israel stands for,” Biden said of the death toll in Gaza. “I think it’s a big mistake.”
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On March 3, 2024, 10-year-old Palestinian child Yazan al-Kafarna lay in a hospital in Rafah. He was born with cerebral palsy. He died a day later from what doctors said was muscle atrophy. Lack of food, his family has been struggling to find food since fleeing their home.
Biden said a possible Israeli invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1.3 million Palestinians have taken refuge, was a “red line” for him, but said he would not cut off weapons such as Iron Dome missile interceptors that protect Israel. . Civilians in the area suffered rocket attacks.
When asked about Rafa, he said: “It’s a red line, but I will never leave Israel. Israel’s defense remains vital, so without a red line, I would cut off all weapons, so they don’t have an Iron Dome to protect them.” them.”
Biden said he was willing to make his case directly to the Israeli parliament, including by visiting the country again. He traveled to Israel a few weeks after the October 7 attack. He declined to elaborate on how or whether such a trip would be possible.
The U.S. leader had hoped for a temporary ceasefire before the start of Ramadan this week, though that appears increasingly unlikely as Hamas balks at a deal pushed by the U.S. and its allies that would see the fighting pause About six weeks. The number of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel has increased, and humanitarian aid entering Gaza has surged. Biden noted that CIA Director Bill Burns is currently in the region trying to revive the agreement.
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