President Biden stated on Thursday that following the onset of the war in Gaza, he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties and address Palestinian concerns, while reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel.
In an interview with MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell, which was recorded earlier in the day and aired Thursday night, Mr. Biden reflected on his political career and presidency. The ongoing conflict, which erupted after a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, with many of Gaza’s approximately two million residents displaced and significant destruction across the enclave.
On Wednesday, Mr. Biden and other leaders announced a provisional cease-fire agreement that has raised hopes for an end to Israel's military operations in Gaza. This deal includes provisions for the release of some hostages held by Hamas.
Mr. Biden and his team have been engaged in negotiations to resolve the conflict for several months. He mentioned that he had consistently told Mr. Netanyahu that he needed to address the legitimate concerns of the Palestinian people, referring to the Israeli prime minister as a friend but acknowledging recent disagreements.
Critics, including families of hostages advocating for a cease-fire, have accused Mr. Netanyahu of deliberately delaying negotiations to extend the conflict. When asked if he believed Mr. Netanyahu was stalling, Mr. Biden refrained from a direct answer, noting that the Israeli prime minister faced political pressure from right-wing factions within Israel, which sometimes led him to take actions Mr. Biden deemed counterproductive.
To facilitate the cease-fire agreement, President-elect Donald J. Trump and Mr. Biden instructed their advisers to collaborate. Mr. Biden mentioned that he had not discussed the negotiations with Mr. Trump in the past two weeks.
Recalling his initial appeal to Mr. Netanyahu to prevent civilian casualties, Mr. Biden noted that this occurred during a visit to Israel ten days after the Hamas attack. He emphasized that while the U.S. supports Israel, it cannot condone extensive bombing of civilian areas.
Israel's bombing campaign has been characterized as one of the most intense in modern warfare, with reports of the use of inaccurate munitions. Throughout the interview, Mr. Biden defended his unwavering support for Israel during the conflict, referencing Iran's threats against Israel and the U.S. response to those threats.