The president of the United States, Joe Biden, spoke this week about the mounting death toll reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health amid the military operations following the October 7 attacks. He noted that the numbers presented by the ministry raised serious questions and highlighted the human cost of the conflict, including more than 6,000 civilian deaths and about 2,700 children among them. In response to a journalist’s question at the White House after a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the president acknowledged that innocent lives have been lost and described the toll as a stark price of war.
Biden stressed the need for careful handling of information, urging Israel and the international community to verify claims and insist that accountability be an accompanying priority as the conflict evolves. He asserted unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while reminding listeners that any action should be weighed against broader consequences for civilians and regional stability. He also asserted that the Palestinians deserve safety and dignity during the crisis and urged transparency about the realities on the ground.
The president reiterated the commitment to a strong alliance with Israel and to the belief that Israel has both the right and the responsibility to respond to extremist violence. At the same time, he underscored the importance of minimizing civilian harm and ensuring the protection of noncombatants as the situation continues to unfold. He affirmed that the United States would maintain a leadership role in supporting Israel’s security measures while seeking to prevent further suffering among innocent people.
Settler violence in the West Bank raises concern
Beyond these remarks, Biden urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint and to take all feasible steps to safeguard civilians in the West Bank. He spoke about alarming reports of assaults by extremist settlers against Palestinians and cautioned that such attacks risk inflaming tensions and escalating the cycle of violence. He called for accountability for those responsible and for immediate action to halt any violence that threatens residents simply because of where they live or their background.
The president also highlighted the humanitarian imperative in Gaza, urging that aid reach those in need. He noted that essential supplies such as water, food, electricity, and fuel had been restricted in some areas and pressed for humanitarian pauses to allow relief workers to operate and civilians to access relief corridors. A resolution proposed by the Biden Administration to the United Nations Security Council on a humanitarian pause was discussed, with emphasis on ensuring that relief efforts can proceed to alleviate the suffering of civilians without inadvertently fueling further conflict.
Biden touched on ongoing diplomatic efforts, including discussions with leaders across the region, and reaffirmed a commitment to a potential path forward that could reduce tensions and lay groundwork for a peaceful resolution. He expressed a belief that any enduring solution would likely require negotiations that address core concerns of both sides, including security needs, political rights, and the ultimate establishment of a viable, two-state framework that could provide long-term stability in the region.