President Joe Biden asserted to Israel his stance against the occupation of Gaza, in a perceptibly strong call for restraint as Israel grapples with the aftermath of this month’s attacks perpetrated by Hamas.
In a conversation with CBS’s “60 Minutes”, the US president made it clear that Israel’s occupation of Gaza would be a grave error. The signs of a looming ground invasion of Gaza by Israel is at large, even as a mounting humanitarian crisis engulfs the coastal Palestinian territory. President Biden has advocated for the safeguarding of civilians and the United States has been actively involved in easing scarcities of necessities such as food, water, and gas.
“My perspective on the happenings in Gaza is that Hamas and its extreme factions do not encapsulate the sentiment of the entire Palestinian population,” Biden shared with interviewer Scott Pelley.
Biden contends that Hamas should be wholly eradicated, but also acknowledged the importance of a governing Palestinian Authority and the right to a Palestinian statehood.
The US president’s statements mark a seldom public appeal urging Israel to demonstrate some degree of restraint in retaliation to the Hamas instigated actions that claimed over a thousand lives. The Israeli’s response was a massive bombing onslaught on the northern Gaza Strip, the region from where Hamas initiated its assault.
In a discussion with Jake Tapper for CNN, Michael Herzog, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, maintained that Israel has no intention to occupy Gaza post the conflict’s conclusion.
Reiterating Israel’s stance, Herzog claimed, “Our aspiration is not to engage in the occupation or reoccupation of Gaza. We do not yearn for sovereignty over the lives of more than 2 million Palestinians.”
In the same “60 Minutes” interaction, President Biden notably refrained from advocating a ceasefire.
“Understand this fundamental discrepancy. Israel is repelling a community behaving in ways that bear historical resemblance to the atrocities of the Holocaust.” he stated, “Israel’s reaction is justified. The focus is Hamas, a group hiding behind civilians. Israel is bound to make every possible effort to steer clear of harming guiltless civilians.”
The unfolding events in Gaza have escalated into a humanitarian catastrophe with Israeli authorities instructing northern Gaza inhabitants to evacuate and seek refuge in the southern region, in anticipation of an impending incursion. Human rights groups contend that evacuation is impossible, given the damage to infrastructure by Israeli strikes and scarce housing in one of the most population-dense regions globally.
In his dialogue with Pelley, Biden expressed his belief in the necessity of humanitarian corridors to aid trapped civilians. He also stated his trust in Israel’s adherence to the “rules of war.”
“I’m wholly reassured that Israel is going to act in accordance with the principles… the regulations of warfare.” he asserted, “Democratic nations uphold certain standards. There must be access to essential resources like food, water, and medical aid for the innocent residents of Gaza.”
President Biden stated he does not foresee the scenario of American troops being deployed for battle, as Israel readies its retaliatory ground offense. The United States committed to providing Israel with “everything they need”, he noted.
Further, he stated that there exists no tangible evidence of Iran’s role in initiating the attacks on Israel. “Yes, Iran has continuously supported Hamas and Hezbollah, but concerning foreknowledge or planning assistance of the attack, there is no evidence to corroborate such a claim so far.” Biden said.
