Obama says any Israeli military strategy that ignores human costs 'could ultimately backfire'
Former President Obama is warning that any strategy the Israeli military takes in its war against Hamas that ignores the danger to civilians "could ultimately backfire."
Obama made the remark in a lengthy statement posted on Medium, where he said "Israel has a right to defend its citizens against such wanton violence" perpetrated by the Palestinian terrorist group and that he fully supports "President Biden’s call for the United States to support our long-time ally in going after Hamas, dismantling its military capabilities, and facilitating the safe return of hundreds of hostages to their families."
"Still, the world is watching closely as events in the region unfold, and any Israeli military strategy that ignores the human costs could ultimately backfire," Obama said. "Already, thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the bombing of Gaza, many of them children. Hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes.
"The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population threatens not only to worsen a growing humanitarian crisis; it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies, and undermine long term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region," he added.
The comments come as Israel has built up its military presence along the Gaza border ahead of a possible ground invasion into the territory.
Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this update.
Posted by Chris Pandolfo
