Israel’s war with Hamas rages as Biden warns Netanyahu over indiscriminate bombing in Gaza
Tel Aviv – President Biden issued strong criticism of Israel’s conduct in its war with Hamas, warning that the Netanyahu government is losing international support due to indiscriminate bombing in the densely populated Gaza Strip. With health officials in Gaza reporting over 18,000 people killed, the situation has escalated into a humanitarian crisis.
Amid catastrophic losses of civilian life and uncertainty over the fate of more than 100 hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu has shown no willingness to ease the bombing campaign in the southern region. Israel’s military claims that in retaliation for a Hamas terror rampage in southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people and more than 200 abductions, they are targeting Hamas militants.
President Biden has faced mounting criticism for his administration’s response to the war, particularly for refusing to call for a new cease-fire. The White House and Netanyahu argue that a truce would allow Hamas militants to regroup.
As the war continues, southern Gaza continues to bear the brunt of Israeli airstrikes. Hospitals in the area are stretched to their limits, struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. James Elder, spokesman for UNICEF, who recently left Gaza, referred to the situation as a nightmare, stating, They are under attack from the air and very much now from the threat of disease.
Israeli authorities have urged Gazan civilians to seek shelter in a designated humanitarian area called al-Mawasi. However, reports suggest that the area lacks basic living essentials such as water, sanitation, food, and protection. The health ministry in Gaza warns that disease is spreading due to a lack of clean water, and health facilities in the region have run out of children’s vaccines.
Gaza’s health system is crumbling, with only 14 out of 36 hospitals still functioning. Tedros Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, states that the situation is likely to worsen with approaching winter conditions.
In an effort to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation, Israeli human rights groups, including B’tselem, have sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to use his influence to change Israel’s policy.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with President Biden criticizing Israel’s indiscriminate bombing and warning Netanyahu of the loss of international support. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens as hospitals struggle to cope with the influx of casualties and shortages of essential supplies. The situation raises concerns about the health system’s collapse and the spread of disease. Efforts by Israeli authorities to designate a humanitarian area have fallen short, lacking basic necessities. International pressure mounts for a change in Israel’s policy to prevent further deterioration in the region.
