Seven current and former US government officials, who remain unnamed, have voiced their discontent with President Joe Biden's handling of the recent Israeli attack on workers from World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian organization operating in Gaza. These officials believe that Biden's response to the situation has been insufficient, particularly in terms of pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They argue that if the Biden administration had taken a stronger stance earlier, it could have potentially mitigated the severity of the crisis.
According to these officials, Biden's approach towards Israel lacks the necessary assertiveness to effectively manage the situation in Gaza. They are calling for a halt in the transfer of US arms to Israel as a means of exerting pressure on the Israeli government. Moreover, they express concerns about the growing dissent within the Biden administration, with some officials feeling increasingly disillusioned with the current approach.
Annelle Sheline, a former State Department official who resigned in protest, criticizes Biden's response as "too little, too late." She suggests that had the Biden administration taken more decisive action earlier on, the situation in Gaza could have been better managed.
The officials, speaking anonymously, also expressed disappointment with Israel's response to the attack, characterizing it as minimal and lacking moral urgency. They believe that Israel is only making superficial efforts to address the crisis to avoid potential consequences such as the cessation of arms transfers from the US.
Following the attack on the World Central Kitchen workers, Biden issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and urging swift action to secure the release of hostages. In response, Netanyahu pledged to improve security coordination with aid groups operating in Gaza and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid through key entry points.
Despite these commitments, Biden continues to advocate for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza. He emphasizes the importance of Israel adhering to international humanitarian law in its actions in Gaza.
