Title: Biden Administration Shifts Tone on Israel-Hamas Crisis, Calls for Humanitarian Pause
Date: October 27, 2024
Washington, D.C. – In a notable change of stance, President Joe Biden and his team have shifted their tone on the Israel-Hamas crisis, highlighting the need to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza as tensions escalate. While Biden maintains that Israel has the right to defend itself, the rapidly rising death toll among Palestinians, mounting international pressure, and the worsening humanitarian crisis have prompted the administration to support a humanitarian pause in Israel’s attacks and prioritize aid for Palestinians.
The change in tone is attributed to the evolving situation on the ground and conversations with countries around the world, according to a White House official. A former official, who maintains contact with current officials, describes an evolution from unconditional support of Israel to a more nuanced approach.
The Biden administration did not anticipate such a rapid increase in Palestinian casualties, which now stand at over 7,000, according to local officials. Concerns over the imminent Israeli ground invasion and its potential consequences have contributed to the shift in framing the crisis.
Experts have pointed out that this change in tone could be influenced by various factors, including Biden’s upcoming 2024 reelection bid, calls from supporters for increased backing of Palestinians, and a warning from former President Barack Obama that Israel’s actions could have long-lasting repercussions.
As the situation on the ground has worsened, Israeli officials and their U.S. supporters fear that global attention is shifting towards the Israeli assault in Gaza, overshadowing the initial Hamas attack that triggered the crisis.
In an effort to prevent a full-scale ground invasion, Biden’s aides are advising Israeli counterparts to carefully analyze their exit strategy. U.S. military advisers have also cautioned about the challenges of fighting in the Gaza Strip, including difficult terrain, tunnels, and booby-trapped buildings that could lead to increased casualties among Israeli soldiers and Gaza civilians.
Former President Barack Obama recently cautioned against cutting off food and water to Gaza, warning that it could have long-lasting effects on Palestinian attitudes. It remains unclear whether the Biden administration coordinated with Obama on its shifting stance regarding the crisis.
During Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent trip to the Middle East, concerns grew about the death toll in Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Arab leaders pressed Blinken to find a solution urgently, as protests against Israel’s actions escalated.
The most significant shift in U.S. policy occurred this week when the Biden administration called for a cessation in Israel’s attacks on Gaza to allow for aid delivery and the safe evacuation of people. Initially focusing on Israel’s right to defend itself, the U.S. revised its own United Nations resolution to emphasize the need for humanitarian pauses and unhindered humanitarian access.
President Biden’s recent remarks highlight a new direction in U.S. policy, as he stressed the importance of Israel protecting innocent civilians amid the crisis. Biden also criticized Israel’s “extremist settlers” and called for renewed efforts towards a peace accord between Israel and a future Palestinian state.
Despite the change in tone, Biden expressed skepticism towards Palestinian estimates of the death toll in Gaza. He assured reporters that he had “no confidence” in the numbers provided by the Palestinians.
As the Israel-Hamas crisis continues to unfold, the Biden administration grapples with shifting dynamics and mounting pressures to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza while maintaining support for Israel’s security concerns.