WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has warned Israel that any move to occupy the Gaza Strip would be a “big mistake.” The statement comes as Israeli troops prepared for a ground invasion as it has ordered the Palestinian residents to evacuate the besieged enclave.
Israel’s military has launched unrelenting airstrikes on the Gaza Strip with a relentless bombing campaign. The conflict has escalated significantly, with Israel warning over a million people in northern Gaza to move south ahead of the impending military operation.
In an interview with CBS, President Biden firmly responded to a question about support for the Israeli occupation of Gaza, “I think it would be a big mistake.” He maintained that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians.
Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have flattened neighborhoods, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 2,670 innocent Palestinian people in Gaza, the majority of whom were children, women, and elderly.
Israel’s consideration of a ground invasion has raised concerns globally, including warnings from aid groups about the potential humanitarian disaster.
Biden Says US Troops Will Not Participate in Gaza Operation
President Biden made it clear that he does not envision the involvement of US troops in the conflict. He expressed confidence in Israel’s capabilities, stating, “Israel has one of the finest fighting forces in the country. I guarantee we’re gonna provide them everything they need.” The United States has already shown its support by deploying two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean.
The United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said that over 400,000 Palestinians have taken shelter in its buildings and schools across the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Sunday. About 1 million people have been displaced in the first 7 days of the war in Gaza, UNRWA stated earlier on Sunday.
It added Israel’s attacks on Gaza have led to an “unparalleled human disaster” in the Palestinian territory. Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of UNRWA, said that not one grain of wheat, not one drop of water, not a liter of fuel has been permitted in the Gaza Strip for the last eight days.
