In an uncommon public address, Barack Obama articulated his perspective on the persistent conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as the escalating civilian toll in the Gaza Strip.
Obama denounced the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7, characterizing it as an act of “unfathomable cruelty.” While he affirmed Israel’s entitlement to safeguard itself against such onslaughts, he underscored the imperative of adhering to international statutes.
The former president posits that specific measures taken by Israel in its campaign against Hamas, including the severance of essential provisions like food and water to the Gaza Strip, could potentially “entrench animosity among Palestinians for generations to come” and erode global backing for Israel.
“Any military approach by Israel that disregards human suffering could eventually prove counterproductive. The aerial bombardment of Gaza has already claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians, a significant number of whom are minors. Hundreds of thousands have been compelled to abandon their residences,” Obama articulated in a communique disseminated via social media platforms.
“The Israeli administration’s choice to withhold basic necessities from civilians in Gaza, who are effectively confined by Hamas, not only intensifies an already deteriorating humanitarian situation but could also further alienate Palestinians, diminish worldwide endorsement for Israel, empower Israel’s adversaries, and jeopardize enduring initiatives to instate tranquility and stability in the region,” Obama accentuated.
Throughout his tenure, Obama consistently endorsed Israel’s prerogative to self-defense, particularly during the initial phases of confrontations with the Palestinian Islamist faction Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, he promptly advocated for Israeli moderation as Palestinian casualties surged due to aerial strikes.
The rapport between Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was notably strained during Obama’s presidential years, especially as the Obama administration engaged in negotiations concerning the Iran nuclear accord, according to arabnews.com.
While serving as vice president under Obama, Joe Biden frequently assumed the role of an intermediary between Netanyahu and Obama.
In his recent declaration, Barack Obama also acknowledged that the US has occasionally fallen short of exemplifying its loftiest principles in the conduct of warfare, most notably in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
