Former U.S. President Barack Obama stated that some measures taken by Israel in its war against Hamas, such as cutting off food and water supplies to Gaza, could "harden Palestinian positions for generations" and weaken international support for Israel. In rare comments on an external political crisis, Obama said on Monday that any Israeli military strategy that overlooks the human casualties of the war "could ultimately backfire."
He added, "The Israeli government's decision to cut off food, water, and electricity supplies to the besieged civilian population in Gaza not only threatens to exacerbate the escalating humanitarian crisis, but it could also increase the hardening of Palestinian positions for many generations, lead to a decline in global support for Israel, and provide an opportunity for Israel's enemies to exploit it against them, undermining long-term efforts for peace and stability in the region."
Israel has been conducting intense airstrikes on Gaza since a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people. Officials in Gaza say that the Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 5,000 Palestinians. Obama condemned the Hamas attack and reiterated support for Israel's right to defend itself, while simultaneously warning of the risks to civilians in such wars.
It is unclear whether Obama coordinated these remarks in advance with U.S. President Joe Biden, who served as vice president under him for eight years. During his presidency, Obama often supported Israel's right to self-defense at the beginning of conflicts with Hamas in Gaza, but he quickly called for Israeli restraint once Palestinian casualties from airstrikes increased. The Obama administration sought to reach a peace agreement in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians but ultimately failed.
