In a bold move, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly criticized Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza, stating that the Israeli tactics have led to “a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians” without effectively neutralizing Hamas leaders and fighters. Blinken emphasized that the United States believes Israeli forces should withdraw from Gaza, but is waiting for credible plans from Israel for security and governance in the region post-war.
Blinken warned that Hamas has reemerged in parts of Gaza, and heavy Israeli action in the city of Rafah could leave America’s closest Mideast ally dealing with an enduring insurgency. He stressed the need for Israel to present credible plans for security, governance, and rebuilding in Gaza to achieve lasting peace.
Furthermore, Blinken echoed the findings of a new Biden administration report to Congress, which suggested that Israel’s use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza may have violated international humanitarian law. He expressed concerns about the loss of innocent civilian lives and emphasized the need for Israel to act in ways consistent with international humanitarian law.
The ongoing conflict, which began on Oct. 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 35,000 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children. The situation has escalated to the point where U.S. and U.N. officials are warning of a full-fledged famine in northern Gaza due to Israeli restrictions on food shipments.
The tensions between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as domestic debates about U.S. support for Israel, could have far-reaching implications, including influencing the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. Biden has made it clear that his administration will not provide weapons for an all-out assault in Rafah, signaling a shift in U.S. policy towards the conflict.