As Israeli forces prepare for a ground invasion in the Gaza Strip, US President Joe Biden issued a caution to Tel Aviv, referring to the occupation of the enclave as a “big mistake” and ruling out any direct US involvement.
During an interview on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” that aired on Sunday, Joe Biden was asked about extending support for the invasion, to which he responded, “I think it’d be a big mistake.”
The Israeli assault on innocent Palestinians began eight days ago, triggered by heavy responses from Hamas fighters in the face of decades-long Zionist oppression of civilians.
The brutal attacks by the Zionists have resulted in at least 2,670 people losing their lives due to indiscriminate bombing and shelling in Gaza, with over 9,200 Palestinians injured, according to the Ministry of Health.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces were preparing for a ground assault as Israel pledged to eradicate Hamas. President Biden emphasized that while Hamas does not represent all Palestinian people, dealing with extremists is a necessary requirement.
Israel has received grave warnings about the consequences of a ground operation in Gaza, including concerns about a humanitarian disaster, fears of an escalation in the conflict, and the difficulty of distinguishing militants from civilians in the densely populated and impoverished territory.
Israel initially occupied Gaza during the 1967 Six-Day War and only fully withdrew from it in 2005. In 2007, Israel tightened the blockade on Gaza after Hamas took control from the secular Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
Eliminating Hamas
When the reporter asked him whether Israel must eliminate Hamas, Biden responded affirmatively, but also stressed the need for a Palestinian authority and a path to a Palestinian state, reaffirming the long-standing US call for a two-state solution.
Regarding the possibility of US troops joining the Israeli war, Biden stated, “I don’t think that’s necessary,” and assured that the US would not send troops to aid Ukraine in the face of a potential Russian invasion.
The United States has already deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean, demonstrating strong support for Israel.
