Biden: "Israel Begins to Lose Support from the International Community"

Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Differences with the US on 'Post-Hamas'"

U.S. President Joe Biden stated on the 12th (local time) that Israel is beginning to lose international support amid increasing civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media, President Biden said at a fundraising event held in Washington D.C. that day, "They (Israel) are starting to lose support." He then called for a change in Israel's hardline approach related to the operation to expel the Palestinian armed faction Hamas.

While expressing support for Israel, he emphasized the need to be mindful of the international community's concerns about civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.

At a reception for the Jewish holiday 'Hanukkah' (Festival of Lights) the previous day, President Biden also said, "We will continue military support until they (Israel) remove Hamas, but caution is necessary," adding, "Global public opinion can change overnight. We must not let that happen."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on the same day that there are differences with the U.S. regarding governance of the Gaza Strip after the Hamas purge.

In a video message, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "Israel and the U.S. continue to clash over the 'post-Hamas' issue," but added, "I expect we will reach an agreement." He also emphasized that they will not repeat the mistakes of the 'Oslo Accords,' which focused on Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza Strip and guaranteeing Palestinian autonomy.

He further expressed gratitude for the U.S.'s support of the Hamas purge operation, saying, "After serious discussions with President Joe Biden and U.S. officials, we have received full support for the ground operation and limiting international pressure for a ceasefire."

Meanwhile, civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip are gradually increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern on the same day that a Palestinian Red Crescent medical team was detained while escorting patients in northern Gaza. One of the escorted patients died. WHO did not disclose who detained and interrogated the Red Crescent medical staff, but northern Gaza is reported to be largely controlled by the Israeli military.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, "Continuing to interrogate and detain medical team members endangers the lives of patients whose health is already deteriorating," adding, "We are deeply concerned."

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