President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel Engage in Public Dispute Over Gaza Conflict
A day after President Biden criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his military strategy in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli leader fired back, escalating their public disagreement.
In an interview with Politico, Mr. Netanyahu challenged Mr. Biden’s assertion that his policies were hurting Israel more than helping. He defended his actions, stating that they were supported by the majority of Israelis and aimed at destroying Hamas terrorist battalions.
Mr. Biden had rebuked Mr. Netanyahu over the civilian death toll in Gaza, urging him to pay more attention to innocent lives lost in the conflict. The President expressed concern that Mr. Netanyahu’s military strategy was contrary to Israel’s values and called for a ceasefire.
The delicate balance between supporting Israel and providing aid to Gaza has put the United States in a challenging position. Mr. Biden has been vocal about the need to protect civilians in Gaza and has urged Mr. Netanyahu to reconsider a major ground offensive in Rafah.
Despite the warnings from the U.S. and other allies about the humanitarian cost of a ground invasion, Mr. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s intention to invade Rafah to prevent future attacks like those on Oct. 7.
The U.S. has been dropping aid into Gaza and plans to build a floating pier to deliver more supplies to the enclave. However, American officials acknowledge that delivering aid by air and sea is not as effective as land delivery, which Israel has largely blocked.
The ongoing dispute between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu underscores the complexities of the Gaza conflict and the challenges of balancing support for Israel with humanitarian concerns.
