President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House on Thursday. Reuters
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House on Thursday. Reuters
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House on Thursday. Reuters
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House on Thursday. Reuters

Biden calls Israel's Gaza response 'over the top'


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Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

US President Joe Biden on Thursday levelled some of his most direct criticism at Israel since it invaded the Gaza Strip in October, saying the actions of its military have been “over the top”.

Mr Biden also said he was working “tirelessly” to push for a deal that would lead to a “sustained pause” in the fighting.

“I’m of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in the Gaza Strip has been over the top,” Mr Biden said in remarks from the White House, during which he primarily spoke about the findings of an investigation into his handling of classified documents.

Mr Biden, who is under immense political pressure from progressives and the Arab-American community to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza, said he succeeded in getting Israel and Egypt to allow more aid into the besieged enclave, where health authorities say more than 27,800 people have been killed.

He also said he was “pushing very hard” for a deal that would lead to Hamas releasing its remaining hostages in return for a ceasefire.

“I’ve been working tirelessly in this deal … to lead to sustained pause in the fighting in the actions taking place in the Gaza Strip,” Mr Biden said.

Despite intense US and international efforts to bring about a truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to dismiss such talk on Wednesday and vowed his country's military would keep fighting against Hamas to achieve “absolute victory”.

Mr Biden in December said Israel was losing international support due to its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza, but the US has nonetheless continued to back Israel’s offensive after the Hamas attack on October 7. About 1,200 people were killed in the assault by militants, according to Israeli authorities.

The war has become a political albatross for Mr Biden, who frequently faces cries of “Genocide Joe” from protesters at campaign events.

The White House on Thursday said it would not support any plans by Israel for a major military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, because such a move would spell disaster for Palestinian civilians seeking refuge there.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Secretary of State Antony Blinken made US concerns about such operations clear during meetings with Israeli officials. Mr Blinken has completed his fifth tour of the Middle East since the outbreak of the Gaza war, during which he pushed for peace in talks with regional leaders.

Latest from the Israel-Gaza war – in pictures

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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

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Updated: February 09, 2024, 4:35 AM`