9-2-2024 (WASHINGTON) President Joe Biden criticised Israel’s military response to the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, labelling it as “over the top” during a statement on Thursday (Feb 9) at the White House.
Expressing his concern, the 81-year-old Democrat stated, “I’m of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in Gaza, in the Gaza Strip, has been over the top.” The US’s unwavering support for Israel’s offensive against the Palestinian militant group has triggered a wave of assaults on US troops in the region, along with mounting criticism of the Biden administration both domestically and internationally.
The prolonged period of bombardment and blockade has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, particularly in southern Gaza. However, Biden underscored his efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I talked to him, I convinced him to open the gate. I talked to Bibi to open the gate on the Israeli side,” Biden remarked, emphasising his relentless pursuit to deliver humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
The unprecedented assault by Hamas on Israel on Oct 7 resulted in the loss of approximately 1,160 lives, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP estimate based on official Israeli data. In retaliation, Israel pledged to eradicate Hamas and launched a series of airstrikes and ground operations, resulting in the deaths of at least 27,840 individuals, mostly women and children, as reported by the Gaza health ministry.
Furthermore, militants seized approximately 250 hostages, with Israel asserting that 132 remain in Gaza, of whom 29 are presumed to have perished. The conflict has ignited a surge in violence across the region, with Iran-backed groups expressing solidarity with Hamas and drawing retaliatory strikes from Israel and its allies, including the United States.
