Former President Obama issued a lengthy statement Monday condemning the deadly attacks in Israel and Gaza.
In his remarks, Obama warns that Israel’s military onslaught could backfire and the effects could last for many years to come.
“The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population (in Gaza) 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,” said Obama.
I wanted to share some thoughts on what’s happening right now in Israel and Gaza.https://t.co/fEaYWFisnN
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 23, 2023
Following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, Israel rained down on Gaza with airstrikes, killing more than 5,000 Palestinians.
Earlier this month, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a blockade, including a total ban on the admission of food, electricity and fuel. The action will affect as many as 2 million Gazan residents. The Israeli military is now preparing for a ground invasion.
“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,” Obama writes via Medium.
He is urging Israel to seek out alternative strategies to avoid further bloodshed.
“It’s therefore important that those of us supporting Israel in its time of need encourage a strategy that can incapacitate Hamas while minimizing further civilian casualties. Israel’s recent shift to allow relief trucks into Gaza, prompted in part by the Biden administration’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy, is an encouraging step, but we need to continue to lead the international community in accelerating critical aid and supplies to an increasingly desperate Gaza population,” Obama adds. “And while the prospects of future peace may seem more distant than ever, we should call on all of the key actors in the region to engage with those Palestinian leaders and organizations that recognize Israel’s right to exist to begin articulating a viable pathway for Palestinians to achieve their legitimate aspirations for self-determination — because that is the best and perhaps only way to achieve the lasting peace and security most Israeli and Palestinian families yearn for.”
Barack Obama's speech on Israel-Palestine 10 years ago –@BarackObama#Palestine pic.twitter.com/k7FY7pPyBg
— Faizal Mammar (@faizal_mammar) October 23, 2023
Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007 following the ousting of the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. The region, which is approximately the size of Detroit, was controlled by Egypt from 1948 to 1967.
