In a rare departure from his usual stance of not commenting on active foreign policy crises, former US President Barack Obama expressed concern over certain decisions made by Israel during its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Obama stated that actions such as cutting off food, water, and electricity supplies to Gaza could have long-lasting consequences, potentially hardening Palestinian attitudes for generations and eroding international support for Israel.
The ex-president emphasized the need for any Israeli military strategy to consider the humanitarian costs of war, warning that ignoring these factors could backfire. While Obama reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and condemned Hamas’s initial attack, he urged caution, especially when it comes to civilian casualties.
It remains unclear whether Obama coordinated his statement with the current US President, Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election next year. During his own tenure as vice-president under Obama, Biden often played a mediating role between Israel and the US government.
Gaza, a densely populated strip of land home to 2.3 million people, has faced a blockade by Israel since 2007. The Obama administration made efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, but these negotiations ultimately failed.
President Biden, who took office in 2021, has not initiated renewed talks, citing intransigence on both sides and an unfavorable political climate. Obama and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a challenging relationship during Obama’s presidency, particularly during negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal.
In his recent statement, Obama acknowledged past US shortcomings when engaged in warfare, notably after the events of September 11, 2001, and stressed the importance of considering humanitarian aspects in conflicts.
These comments from the former president highlight the complexities and challenges of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and underline the potential long-term ramifications of certain military actions taken in the region.
By Reuters
