Biden's Bold Israel Response: Navigating Outrage and Escalation

President Joe Biden met with his top advisers on Tuesday to review the draft of his speech on Israel. He specifically requested that the prepared remarks provide additional details regarding the shocking and horrifying nature of the attacks that had commenced four days prior.

In order for the American people to fully comprehend the extent of the atrocities committed by Hamas, Biden emphasized the importance of highlighting the brutalities. Later in the day, from the State Dining Room of the White House, Biden would go on to describe heart-wrenching accounts of parents being brutally killed while attempting to shield their children, innocent babies being mercilessly murdered, and women being subjected to rape and assault.

"This," Biden declared, "was an act of pure malevolence."

Biden's profound and passionate response to the assault has translated into a robust American retaliation, involving the deployment of US warships and planes to the area, intensifying intelligence cooperation, and offering minimal efforts to advocate for moderation in Israel's retaliatory actions.

Going forward, however, the president will need to carefully navigate the delicate balance of supporting America's ally while also avoiding entanglement in another foreign conflict. This situation presents a complex dilemma for the president, as he now finds himself dealing with wars in Europe and the Middle East while simultaneously focusing on his reelection campaign, which heavily relies on his reputation as a stable and competent leader.

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US in talks with countries including Israel and Egypt to allow safe passage of Americans and other civilians out of Gaza

Biden has underscored the significance of accurately responding to the situation and the potentially severe repercussions of any miscalculations or missteps. During closed-door briefings and discussions with his team, he has expressed his belief that by steadfastly adhering to our values and wholeheartedly committing ourselves to achieving success, we can once again resolve this issue and restore peace. Speaking to a gathering of Jewish American leaders on Wednesday, Biden expressed his optimistic outlook, stating, "I have been called a perpetual optimist."

Up until now, the equilibrium has been maintained in both public and private settings.

During his discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden has consistently expressed his comprehension of the need for a forceful response. However, he has also emphasized the significance of abiding by the laws of warfare and safeguarding the lives of civilians.

Despite the American officials openly recognizing Iran's support for Hamas throughout the years, they are cautious about the potential consequences of establishing a direct connection between Tehran and the recent violent incidents. This is due to the increased likelihood of getting involved in a larger regional conflict. Although facing a severe hostage crisis, the US has asserted that, for now, it has no plans to deploy American troops to engage in the conflict. However, this stance may alter if the situation escalates further.

According to a source familiar with the matter, if Hezbollah were to initiate missile attacks on Israel tomorrow, it would be considered a significant escalation. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, stated that the United States has not yet observed any unauthorized actors disregarding its warnings to refrain from exacerbating the conflict. However, he emphasized that these actions are not conducted casually or informally.

And Biden, speaking Wednesday, said his moves so far in the region are meant in part to send a message to the Iranians: "Be careful."

Biden walks a fine line

Continuing to receive images depicting the atrocities committed against civilians by Hamas, support for Israel remains largely solid among the administration and American lawmakers. However, authorities are aware that this unity may not persist indefinitely, especially if the Gaza population continues to suffer disproportionately due to Israel's retaliation against the Hamas assaults. Currently, the blockaded territory is already grappling with limited access to electricity and food.

During their private discussions, Biden refrained from advising Netanyahu to exercise caution in retaliating against Hamas. While conversing on Tuesday, he emphasized that if a terrorist attack on a comparable scale were to happen in the United States, the reaction would be "prompt, resolute, and overpowering."

Nonetheless, the president also expressed to his Israeli counterpart his worries regarding civilian casualties and stressed the significance of mitigating unintended harm in the upcoming days.

"It is crucial that Israel adheres to the rules of war, despite the anger and frustration surrounding the situation," Biden emphasized during his discussion with Jewish leaders. He reiterated that vengeance should not be the driving force behind their actions. As the world prepares for a potential escalation of conflict beyond Israel and Gaza, Biden's extensive experience and perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, spanning from his initial visit in 1973 to his role in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, vice presidency, and now the Oval Office, becomes increasingly apparent.

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With an unmatched background, according to allies, Biden's next moves will navigate the turbulent geopolitical currents regarding Israel's aid, Ukraine's funding, and relations with Iran.

Additionally, Biden's unapologetic choice to withdraw from Afghanistan three years ago, conclusively ending America's longest war in a defiant yet chaotic manner, also acts as a compass for his decisions.

"This president knows every side of this," a senior US official told CNN, "and he will not be pushed into something he is not comfortable with."

US ramps up its presence

In order to demonstrate strength and deter potential adversaries, the Biden administration has strategically deployed various resources to the region. Presently, a carrier strike force has been stationed in the Mediterranean, while the Defense Department has facilitated the arrival of planes carrying ammunition and interceptors from Europe, as per Netanyahu's request. A senior official from the administration emphasized that even the mere landing of American military planes signifies a powerful message of deterrence.

More measures may be implemented in the coming future. According to another senior official from the administration, the United States intends to assess the impact of the current actions before deciding on additional deployment.

In light of worries about the United States getting involved in a Middle East dispute, a senior Israeli official stated to CNN's Matthew Chance that Israel does not anticipate the United States to battle on their behalf. Instead, the official mentioned that the presence of a newly stationed US aircraft carrier group off the Israeli coast would offer extended coverage in case of a wider regional conflict.

The White House has been unwilling to commit to a specific role due to the ever-changing nature of the situation. US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, made it clear that his intention is not to establish boundaries, give warnings, or deliver lectures. Instead, his purpose is to convey that the president has instructed them to take a series of actions, which they are currently carrying out and will continue to do in the future.

A deeply emotional moment

According to presidential advisers, the president has experienced a profound emotional rollercoaster over the past five days as he confronts the second significant outbreak of a war during his tenure. Disturbing accounts and visuals of Hamas' atrocious actions have inundated his thoughts and emotions.

According to a senior adviser to the president, he has consistently approached Israel with a strong moral standpoint and unwavering dedication.

Emotions ran high during Biden's four phone calls with Netanyahu as the true extent of the atrocities became increasingly apparent. A knowledgeable source revealed that the first conversation, which took place early on Saturday morning, was deeply emotional as the magnitude of the destruction was revealed.

Sullivan noted this week that he can perceive the anguish in Prime Minister Netanyahu's voice during their conversations. Similarly, when he engages with his counterparts, he can discern their distress.

In addressing the recent attack, Biden's response will heavily focus on a strategic and measured approach towards Netanyahu. Given their long-standing relationship spanning several decades, both individuals have relied on their shared history to navigate through significant tensions arising from Netanyahu's right-wing governing coalition over the past year.

One official claims that Biden has a superior understanding of Netanyahu compared to anyone else, and has tactfully exerted pressure on the Israeli leader in the past to prevent exacerbating conflicts with the Palestinians. However, when it comes to another aspect, history may be of limited help to Biden. Support for Israel has dwindled among certain factions of the Democratic Party, and as he commences a yearlong campaign for reelection, the Middle East has unexpectedly become a focal point in the US presidential race.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, described the Hamas attack as "truly horrifying." However, during an interview on Wednesday, she emphasized the importance of having a nuanced discussion about the ongoing conflict. Ocasio-Cortez stated that both Israelis, particularly those who experienced trauma on Saturday, and Palestinians who have endured decades of occupation, are affected by this situation. She stressed the need for us to create an environment where we can have open, compassionate conversations that acknowledge the humanity of all those involved.