Biden’s New Joint Chief Admits Eliminating Hamas is a Challenging Task That Will Take Time

A faster solution to the conflict in Gaza could help reduce civilian suffering and potentially prevent people from joining Palestinian militants, according to President Joe Biden’s top military adviser.

General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that Israel’s goal of completely destroying the Hamas militant group was ambitious, but also suggested that targeting the senior leadership of Hamas could be achieved more quickly.

Brown expressed concern about the potential impact of a prolonged conflict on the civilian population, noting that it could fuel support for militant groups like Hamas.

He also emphasized the need for Israel to provide more context and explanation for its military actions, and expressed confidence that Israel was following the laws of war in its operations in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the conflict with Hamas will be long and difficult, but Brown did not offer a specific opinion on the duration of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Overall, Brown stressed the importance of preparing for the possibility that military campaigns can extend longer than anticipated, drawing on his experience overseeing air campaigns in the Middle East.