Biden Describes Israel's Military Response in Gaza as 'Excessive'

On Thursday, February 8, U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Israel's military response in Gaza against the militant group Hamas as 'excessive.' In his remarks, which represented the strongest criticism of the military operation, Biden stated in response to a reporter's question, 'As you know, I believe that the nature of the response in Gaza has been excessive.' He noted that he has 'exerted a lot of pressure' for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Hamas, calling the suggested terms 'delusional.' The Iran-backed group had proposed a deal in response to ceasefire initiatives from several countries, suggesting that for each phase, in exchange for a 45-day halt to the fighting, hostages in Gaza would be released in return for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel's military assault on Gaza until achieving 'absolute victory.' Biden also mentioned that he has been 'working tirelessly on this agreement' while simultaneously 'striving to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.' Meanwhile, Israeli forces bombed areas in the city of Rafah on Thursday, where more than half of Gaza's population has taken refuge. Relief organizations have warned that if Israel carries out its threat of a ground invasion into Rafah, a humanitarian disaster will occur. Rafah is one of the last remaining areas in the Gaza Strip that Israeli forces have not yet entered during their ground operations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Wednesday that the pressure on Rafah at the Gaza-Egypt border 'intensifies what is currently a humanitarian nightmare with unspoken regional consequences.' Israel claims it is taking measures to prevent civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of hiding among civilians, including in schools and hospitals, which leads to more civilian deaths. Hamas has denied these allegations. The World Health Organization has warned about half a million displaced people in Gaza; Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that steps have been identified for Israel to provide better and more assistance to the people of Gaza. Guterres remarked that the world has entered an 'era of chaos.' A Hamas spokesperson announced the group's delegation's visit to Egypt to follow up on the three-phase ceasefire plan. Netanyahu rejected Hamas's three-phase ceasefire proposal for Gaza.