Biden criticizes Israel’s heavy-handed response in Gaza

President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s response to the Gaza situation on Thursday, stating that it has been “over the top,” as reported by The Hill.

During remarks from the White House, Biden emphasized his efforts to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza by urging Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the matter.

“I’ve been pushing really hard, really hard to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” Biden emphasized. “There are a lot of innocent people who are starving, a lot of innocent people who are in trouble and dying. And it’s got to stop.”

His administration is making a concentrated effort to broker a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in order to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, deliver humanitarian aid, commence reconstruction efforts, and create space for diplomatic negotiations to end the conflict.

However, Biden’s stance has drawn scrutiny from some Democrats and members of the Arab-American community, particularly as he initially showed staunch support for Israel following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and subsequent strikes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children.

In recent months, Biden has adjusted his rhetoric, urging Israel to exercise more precision in its military operations.