Humanitarian Concerns in Biden’s Ironclad Support for Israel
President Joe Biden’s firm commitment to Israel’s security, recently reiterated in a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has reaffirmed the United States’ historical alliance with Israel. However, as the violence escalates in Gaza and Lebanon, Biden’s administration finds itself walking a tightrope between military support and addressing humanitarian concerns.
Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon has displaced over a million people, and the situation in Gaza is dire. The Israeli blockade has brought the territory to the brink of famine, with humanitarian organizations warning of severe food and water shortages. Biden has been outspoken about Israel’s obligation under international humanitarian law to allow aid to reach Gaza, but the devastation continues.
In Lebanon, Biden’s call for Israel to minimize harm to civilians in densely populated areas, such as Beirut, demonstrates his administration’s awareness of the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe. Yet, as the U.S. backs Israel’s military operations, the question remains whether enough is being done to prevent civilian casualties.
The U.S. administration’s role in shaping Israel’s military actions through diplomacy is becoming more scrutinized as the conflict drags on. Biden has emphasized the importance of protecting Israeli civilians, but as the death toll mounts in Lebanon and Gaza, critics argue that the U.S. is not leveraging its influence to force de-escalation.
In the backdrop of all these events, the upcoming U.S. election looms large. Vice President Kamala Harris, running to succeed Biden, will inherit a Middle East embroiled in conflict. How she navigates the fine line between supporting Israel and addressing humanitarian crises could define the future of U.S. involvement in the region.