The White House has addressed President Joe Biden's recent comments on Israel's global support and its relationship with the U.S.

In a recent development, the administration has moved to clarify statements made by Biden regarding Israel's supposedly declining global support and its conservative government.

White House spokesperson John Kirby emphasized the close relationship between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite Biden's critical remarks, as the Daily Mail reported.

Biden's stance on Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Biden has been a supporter of Israel, particularly following surprise attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7 that resulted in significant casualties.

However, Biden's recent statements at a political fundraiser marked a notable shift in tone, expressing strong concerns about the collateral damage from Israel's military actions in Gaza.

Biden said:

They're starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place.

Netanyahu's response to Biden's critique was to leverage it for political support within Israel, particularly among the right-wing factions opposed to the Oslo accords and the Palestinian Authority's role in Gaza.

Meanwhile Kirby clarified Biden's remarks.

During a press briefing, Kirby was questioned about Biden's intentions behind his statements. He highlighted Biden's long-standing respect and love for Israel, framing his comments as coming from a place of friendship and concern. Kirby stated:

He was expressing concerns that we continue to see civilian casualties in Gaza and, again, that we want to minimize them.

Kirby further added:

They have a long standing relationship. They're going to keep that relationship. They're going to keep talking. I think you can expect that he will be talking to Prime Minister Netanyahu in the future about what we can do to continue to support Israel.

International reaction and U.S. position

Internationally, there has been a growing unease over the number of Palestinian civilian casualties.

Nearly 18,000 Palestinians have been killed, and most of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced since the war began. The U.N. has reported significant destruction in Gaza, with a substantial humanitarian crisis unfolding.

The U.S. faced isolation in its support for Israel when it vetoed a U.N. Security Council ceasefire resolution, although a similar non-binding measure was later overwhelmingly supported by the U.N. General Assembly.

Future of Israeli-Palestinian relations

Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, is set to meet with Netanyahu to discuss the ongoing conflict and the future of the region. Sullivan's visit indicates the U.S.'s active involvement and concern over the prolonged nature of the conflict and its consequences.

Despite Biden's push for a two-state solution, there remains a significant gap between the U.S. and Israel's positions, particularly regarding the role of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza post-conflict.

Netanyahu's outright rejection of American plans for the region after the war and his commitment to maintaining a military presence in Gaza illustrate the complexity of the situation and the challenges ahead.

Humanitarian crisis and global concern

The war has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

A U.N. assessment showed that nearly 40,000 buildings, or about 18% of all pre-conflict structures, have been damaged or destroyed in the Gaza Strip. With restricted aid access, Gazans face severe shortages of food, water, and other basic necessities.

On the Israeli side, the war has also taken a heavy toll. Israel reports that Hamas still holds 117 hostages and the remains of 20 individuals who died in captivity or during the initial attack.

Conclusion

• White House clarifies Biden's comments on Israel's global support.
• Biden adopts more critical stance on Israel's military actions in Gaza.
• Netanyahu uses Biden's critique for political leverage within Israel.
• Significant global concern remains over Palestinian civilian casualties.
• Sullivan's upcoming visit to Israel signals U.S. engagement in conflict resolution.
• Humanitarian crisis raises concerns in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict.