US President Joe Biden: ‘I Refuse to Be Silent’ on Hamas Attack
On Wednesday, it was conveyed by President Joe Biden that the return of U.S. citizens being held hostage in Gaza had not been abandoned, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was urged to comply with “the rules of war” as Israel responds to what was characterized as “a campaign of pure cruelty” by Hamas.
The exact number of more than 20 Americans who are still unaccounted for in Israel and whether they were subjected to hostage-taking by Hamas remain unknown. President Biden has drawn a parallel between Hamas and the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State, primarily due to the extreme brutality exhibited in their attacks on Israel, which have included heinous acts like beheadings and the killing of infants.
President Biden revealed that he and his national security team have been diligently working “round the clock” to address the ongoing crisis, which includes devising strategies to ensure the safe return of these American citizens. While engaging in a roundtable discussion with Jewish community leaders at the White House, President Biden acknowledged the inquiries from the press regarding efforts to repatriate these individuals. He emphasized the uniqueness of this situation and the complexity of the involved operations, noting that revealing specific actions could jeopardize the safety of those affected.
Even as President Biden condemned the horrific nature of the attack, which he described as “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust” and “one of the worst chapters in human history,” he indicated his counsel to Netanyahu not to respond overly aggressively, as such a response could exacerbate the situation.
A directive issued by Israel on Monday ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, effectively depriving the densely populated area, where nearly half the residents are children, of essential resources such as food, water, fuel, and electricity. The intent behind this action is to cut off resources for Hamas, although humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the dire consequences for Palestinian civilians who are also bearing the brunt of the attack.
While President Biden did not provide specific details of his Wednesday conversation with the Israeli prime minister, he underscored their four-decade-long relationship, characterized by frank and candid discussions. President Biden stressed the importance of Israel adhering to the principles of war in their operations within Gaza.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a journey to Israel, where he is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He emphasized the distinction between Israel, the United States, and other democracies when confronted with exceedingly challenging situations. This distinction revolves around their commitment to international law and the laws of war, with the primary objective of minimizing civilian casualties. Blinken pointed out that Hamas employs tactics involving human shields and deliberately places Palestinian civilians in harm’s way as part of their strategy.
In a notable development, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, the leader of the opposition National Unity Party, announced an agreement to establish a wartime unity government. This collaborative effort will entail the active participation of both sides in a war cabinet, aimed at collectively addressing the ongoing assault by Hamas.
President Biden, with his extensive background in foreign policy, has been deeply affected by the ongoing violence in Israel, particularly the atrocities committed against children and young women. He has shared personal experiences of taking each of his children and grandchildren, individually, to visit the Dachau concentration camp in Germany when they reached the age of 14. He emphasized the significance of bearing witness to historical atrocities.
In an impassioned address, President Biden vehemently rejected silence in the face of hatred and violence. He pledged not to remain silent and acknowledged the determination of others who, like him, refuse to stay silent.