Delving into the Tensions and Turmoil within the Biden Administration amid the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Tensions rise within the Biden administration as Israeli forces persist in their relentless attacks on Gaza, fueling frustration and outrage over the soaring civilian death toll The American-Israeli relationship faces scrutiny amid growing political blowback
Angst, unease, and outrage are sweeping through sectors of the Biden administration as Israeli forces persistently carry out attacks in Gaza without any indication of stopping, leading to a continuously rising civilian death toll that has already reached the thousands within the besieged enclave.
After a month of conflict between Israel and Hamas, certain senior officials privately admit to their inability to support certain aspects of Israel's military operations. Calls for the United States to endorse a ceasefire are increasing among government employees, while others are deeply disturbed by the relentless imagery showing Palestinian civilians being killed by Israeli airstrikes, according to multiple sources who spoke to CNN.
"It has caused significant moral unease," stated a senior official within the administration. "However, due to our employment being subject to the president's pleasure and his firm commitment, no one can openly express their concerns."
This week, a rift emerged between the United States and Israel regarding the future of Gaza, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion in an interview that Israel would be responsible for the security of Gaza for an "undetermined amount of time." On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the US's disapproval of any "reoccupation" of the Gaza Strip, although he acknowledged that there might be a necessity for a transitional phase at the conclusion of the conflict.
However, despite the criticism and growing discontent, there is no indication that the administration plans to sever ties with Netanyahu or condemn Israel's actions in Gaza. The State Department, in particular, has experienced strong opposition, with one official publicly resigning over the Biden administration's handling of the conflict. Additionally, other officials within the administration are privately expressing their anger as the number of civilian casualties continues to rise.
Hundreds of US Agency for International Development staffers have signed an open letter urging the administration to call for a ceasefire, a request that the administration has thus far rejected. The letter emphasizes the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire to effectively carry out USAID efforts and save lives. It highlights the belief that preventing further catastrophic loss of human life in Gaza is only possible if the United States Government demands an immediate ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, and the restoration of essential resources such as water, food, fuel, and electricity to the people of Gaza by the State of Israel.
Instances of heightened emotions have been abundant lately. During a private fundraiser last week, the president was confronted by a protester demanding a ceasefire. In close proximity to the White House compound, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have become a daily affair. Additionally, this week, one of the entrances near the West Wing was marked with vivid red handprints, symbolizing blood, together with phrases like "genocide Joe."
On Tuesday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby acknowledged to reporters that the president comprehends the intensity of emotions and sentiments involved in this matter. This sentiment extends not only to the general public but also within the administration and the federal government.
"We have actively collaborated with a multitude of partners, organizations, experts, analysts, and individuals with diverse perspectives to attentively listen to their concerns and ensure a comprehensive understanding as we formulate policy," Kirby said.
Frustration with Israeli government growing
Following the deadly October 7 Hamas attack, there was a widely recognized understanding that Israel would respond with strong force to what officials described as an unprecedented assault. According to a source, US officials believed that the Israeli leaders' ability to strategically respond was hindered by the shock and trauma of the attack.
While US officials have acknowledged that the Israeli government has been refining its offensive tactics, frustration within the Biden administration has been intensifying as Israel has rejected various US appeals. These appeals include reducing civilian casualties, implementing humanitarian pauses, addressing the escalating violence in the West Bank, and making long-term plans for Gaza. This situation puts Washington in a difficult position as it tries to support its ally while also managing the growing international backlash.
According to individuals familiar with the discussions, officials from the Biden administration have intensified their appeals to Israeli counterparts at various levels, urging them to reduce their continuous airstrikes in Gaza. These airstrikes have led to the deaths of numerous Palestinians.
Sources revealed that the Israeli government is being instructed to alter its approach by refraining from further bombings and instead conducting a more targeted and precise counterterrorism operation.
The rhetoric from high-ranking officials has undergone a public shift in the weeks following the attack on October 7. They are now making more explicit appeals to minimize the number of civilian casualties and recognize the impact that the distressing images from Gaza will have on Israel's long-term strategy in the region.
"We must take further steps to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians. We have made it clear that the way in which Israel carries out its mission to defeat Hamas is of utmost importance," stated Blinken during his visit to Tel Aviv on Friday, after holding meetings with Israeli officials. "If the Palestinian people are overwhelmed by a humanitarian crisis and perceive a lack of concern for their situation, it will be difficult to find partners for peace."
The public messaging consistently emphasizes Israel's right to self-defense and dismisses any ceasefire calls. The administration acknowledges privately that the fighting cannot be stopped currently due to the ongoing offensive's next phase.
Despite this, American appeals for Israel to change its offensive strategy to reduce the severe humanitarian impact have been turned down. While Israel has made significant adjustments to their original plan, according to a senior administration official, many American officials still consider the expanded assault on Gaza to be excessively harsh.
During a virtual briefing on Monday, Kirby informed reporters that there have been signs of attempts to reduce civilian casualties in certain situations, but he emphasized the need to avoid exaggerating this. On Tuesday, a senior Israeli official acknowledged that the administration addresses these concerns in private discussions, but highlighted the complexity of minimizing civilian deaths in densely populated areas where Hamas is intertwined within the population.
Political blowback on Biden
"We deeply acknowledge the risk of unintended harm and are committed to actively differentiating between innocent civilians and terrorists," stated the official. "It is incumbent upon us to strive towards minimizing any collateral damage."
The domestic and international effects are evident. Biden is facing increasing demands from fellow Democrats to take a stronger stance on Israel's tactics, despite substantial bipartisan support in Congress for Israel's right to self-defense. Simultaneously, Arab allies of the US are unequivocally expressing their profound displeasure with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Blinken departed from the Middle East on Monday with little to show for his extensive series of meetings with regional leaders.
"This is all still a work in progress," he stated during a news conference in Turkey, speaking to CNN.
American officials said on Friday that they expected Israel's air campaign to diminish this week; however, there is still ongoing intense bombing in the Palestinian enclave.
According to officials, Biden has become increasingly frustrated with the high number of civilian casualties. The administration has also expressed growing unease as Israel conducted airstrikes in a densely populated refugee camp and targeted an ambulance near a hospital, both of which were claimed to be aimed at Hamas.
"Our discussions with the Israelis are exceptionally frank," a top administration official noted recently, referring to Biden's own address in Tel Aviv cautioning Israelis against repeating the same errors made by the US after the September 11, 2001, terror strikes.
Biden has consistently advocated for Israel's entitlement and, as he puts it, obligation to retaliate to the Hamas assaults, which claimed the lives of over 1,000 individuals and resulted in the capture of several hundred.
However, it has been emphasized by American officials that Israel is autonomously determining its targets and prioritizing them.
"This military operation is not conducted by us, it is not a campaign carried out by the US military. Hence, I don't intend to provide commentary from a position of hindsight," stated the official. "Nevertheless, I must acknowledge that when incidents occur, we do engage in discussions with the Israeli authorities."
American relationship with the Israelis under the microscope
During a call on Monday, Biden directly discussed the requirement for "tactical pauses" with Netanyahu. However, Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have consistently dismissed the notion of an extended halt in the hostilities unless there is a release of hostages.
During an interview with ABC News on Monday, Netanyahu expressed willingness towards "temporary and strategic pauses, perhaps just for an hour or two." However, American officials emphasize that a cessation of hostilities to facilitate the release of numerous hostages will necessitate more than a mere few hours.
The administration officials contend that they have achieved some success in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Following a phone conversation between Biden and Netanyahu, where the former emphasized the urgent need for a significant increase in the number of aid trucks entering the strip, Israel announced its willingness to permit up to 100 trucks per day to cross the border from Egypt.
The American pressure also resulted in the restoration of internet and phone connectivity at the beginning of Israel's intensified offensive, although it has been intermittently disrupted since then. However, despite the consistent pressure exerted by the Biden administration on Israel to improve its military strategies and clarify its goals in Gaza, it has not achieved the desired level of clarity according to numerous US officials.
Biden explicitly stated that he believes it would be a major mistake for Israel to "reoccupy" Gaza. However, during his interview on Monday, Netanyahu expressed the view that Gaza should be governed by those who do not support Hamas. He also mentioned that Israel would continue to bear overall security responsibility indefinitely, as they have witnessed the consequences of not doing so in the past.
Netanyahu did not provide further details, and US administration officials have expressed frustration over Israel's lack of a clear plan regarding its future approach to dealing with Gaza in the event that Hamas is removed. Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Netanyahu, stated on Tuesday during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour that Israel is not considering an ongoing occupation of the Gaza Strip.
When asked about Netanyahu's remarks on ABC News on Monday regarding Israel assuming "overall security responsibility" in Gaza for an "indeterminate period" post-war, Regev emphasized the distinction between a security presence and political control.
During his speech in Tokyo on Wednesday, Blinken clearly outlined the conditions set by the US for achieving "lasting peace and security" in Gaza after the war, emphasizing that the territory should not be diminished or subjected to occupation.
At a press conference in Tokyo following the G7 Foreign Ministerial, he emphasized that the United States is of the opinion that crucial aspects should exclude any coercion in evicting Palestinians from Gaza. This should be upheld both in the present and future, particularly in the aftermath of any conflicts. He further stressed the importance of not allowing Gaza to be utilized as a base for terrorism or any form of violent aggression. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of refraining from re-occupying Gaza after the conclusion of hostilities, while also urging against any attempts to blockade or besiege the region. Lastly, he underscored the significance of preserving the current territorial boundaries of Gaza.
CNNs Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.
