In an interview on MSNBC’s The Last Word Thursday, President Joe Biden stated he began urging Israeli leaders to minimize civilian casualties in their response to Hamas shortly after the October 7 terrorist attacks. Biden recounted discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel about 10 days after the attacks.
Biden explained that he cautioned against indiscriminate bombing in civilian areas, even when targeting Hamas operatives. He noted that Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions by highlighting the challenges posed by Hamas’s extensive tunnel network. According to Biden, the tunnels, often located beneath civilian structures, are hundreds of feet underground, making it difficult to target militants without affecting surrounding areas. Biden described the network as “amazing” in scale, emphasizing the complexity of Israel’s military campaign.
The president said his initial focus during these discussions was not on achieving a ceasefire but on preventing the loss of innocent lives and facilitating humanitarian assistance. Biden pushed for increased aid deliveries and measures to ensure supplies reached affected populations. He stated, “I pushed really, really hard for more humanitarian aid to go in and ways to get it in.”
Acknowledging the political pressures on Netanyahu, Biden noted the challenges of working with what he described as Israel’s most conservative cabinet in history. He remarked that Netanyahu’s coalition government has influenced Israel’s strategic decisions during the conflict.
Biden’s comments come amid international criticism of civilian casualties and calls for greater restraint in Israel’s military operations. Humanitarian groups and world leaders have urged Israel to balance its response to Hamas with the protection of civilians, particularly in densely populated areas like Gaza.
The U.S. has maintained its support for Israel’s right to self-defense while encouraging efforts to minimize civilian harm. Biden’s remarks underscore the ongoing tension between military strategy and humanitarian concerns in the region.
