US President Joe Biden has pledged continued "ironclad" support for Israel as it continues its Washington-backed military campaign against the Gaza Strip. Biden made these remarks during a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House on Monday.
The conflict, which began in early October following a retaliatory operation by Gaza’s resistance groups, has resulted in the deaths of at least 35,562 people and displaced approximately 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
Despite the heavy toll, Biden stated, "What's happening is not genocide," countering accusations from various international bodies. This statement comes amid efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes.
In his speech, Biden reiterated the US objective to see Hamas defeated, stating, "We want [the Gaza-based resistance movement] Hamas defeated. We're working with Israel to make that happen."
Since the onset of the conflict, the US has provided Israel with substantial military aid and has vetoed several United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. This ongoing support has led to Biden becoming the first sitting US president to be sued for complicity in genocide over US involvement in the conflict. The lawsuit adds to the legal pressures on Israel, which also faces proceedings at the UN’s International Court of Justice based on genocide accusations brought forward by South Africa.
