Biden: "If Israel Occupies Gaza Strip, It Will Be a Big Mistake" (Summary)

CBS Interview Program '60 Minutes' Statement
Remarks Highlighted Amid Imminent Ground Offensive... Supports Hamas Removal
"Full Support for Israel, US Troop Deployment Unnecessary"

U.S. President Joe Biden said that Israel's potential occupation of the Gaza Strip amid its retaliatory campaign against Palestinian armed factions "would be a big mistake." While President Biden affirmed Israel's right to target Hamas, he emphasized the need to distinguish between Hamas and the Palestinian people. He also dismissed the possibility of deploying U.S. troops.

President Joe Biden [Photo by UPI]

In a full interview aired on the American CBS program '60 Minutes' on the 15th (local time), Biden was asked whether he would support Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip amid the clashes that began with Hamas's surprise attack on the 7th. He responded, "It would be a big mistake."

President Biden stressed the importance of clearly distinguishing between Hamas and the Palestinians. He said, "Hamas and its extremist elements do not represent all Palestinian people," and reiterated that Israel reoccupying the Gaza Strip "would be a mistake."

Previously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew their stationed troops and left about 20 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip in January 2006, 38 years after occupying the area from Egypt during the Middle East war to implement a peace agreement. Since then, the Gaza Strip came under the control of the Palestinian Authority, but in June 2007, Hamas expelled the Fatah faction loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank, after a civil war and took control of the Gaza Strip.

President Biden's remarks come as Israel has declared its intention to launch a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and is preparing for it, drawing significant attention.

Biden expressed support for Israel's stance on Hamas, saying it "must be completely eliminated." At the same time, he added that a Palestinian state is necessary. He stated that the establishment of a "two-state solution"?an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel for the five million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank?has long been U.S. policy.

When asked whether he believes Israel will continue to pursue this two-state solution after the current crisis, Biden replied, "Not right now, but I think Israel understands that most Palestinians do not share the views of Hamas and Hezbollah."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

However, regarding the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to Israel, President Biden drew a clear line. He said, "I don't think it will be necessary." He added, "Israel has a powerful military, and I guarantee that we will support them with everything they need."

On speculation that Iran is behind Hamas's airstrikes on Israel, Biden reiterated his previous position that "there is no clear evidence." He elaborated, "Iran has continuously supported Hamas and Hezbollah, but there is no clear evidence that they assisted in this attack." He warned, "They must not cross the border and escalate the war."

President Biden emphasized the importance of the U.S. supporting both Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, and Israel, which is in conflict with Hamas, for American security.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government is reportedly considering a visit by President Biden to Israel. According to foreign media citing sources, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the visit during a phone call with Biden on the same day. Relatedly, the American internet media Axios reported that U.S. and Israeli officials are discussing scheduling Biden's visit to Israel for later this week.

The U.S. government has not yet officially confirmed the consideration of Biden's visit to Israel. If President Biden visits Israel this week, he would be the first foreign leader to visit Israel since Hamas's surprise attack.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.