Joe Biden Says Israel's Gaza Bombings 'Just Wrong'

President Joe Biden said that it is "just wrong" that civilians have been killed in Israel's military actions in Gaza amid its war with Hamas.

Speaking with CNN host Erin Burnett, Biden spoke about his decision to pause the shipment of bombs and other weapons to Israel ahead of the country's potential ground operation in Rafah. According to the Associated Press (AP), more than 1 million civilians have evacuated to the southern city in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out after Hamas' October 7 deadly attack on Israel.

"I made it clear that if they go into Rafah—they haven't gone into Rafah yet—if they go into Rafah, I'm not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with problems," Biden said, who also acknowledged that "civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence" of U.S.-provided bombs and "other ways in which they [Israel] go after population centers."

"We're going to continue to make sure Israel is secure in terms of Iron Dome and their ability to respond to attacks that came out in the Middle East recently," the president continued. "But it's just wrong."

The Context

AP reported earlier this week that the U.S. had paused a shipment to Israel that contained nearly 3,000 bombs over concerns that the weapons could be used in Rafah as Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prepare for ground operations in the city.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin later confirmed Wednesday while speaking to the Senate Appropriations committee that the White House had paused sending "one shipment of high payload munitions" to Israel and that Washington was "currently reviewing some near-term security assistance shipments in the context of unfolding events in Rafah."

Officials and groups like the United Nations have warned of a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip amid the war between Israel and Hamas. Biden has also faced pressure over his handling of the conflict from Democratic lawmakers and voters, potentially threatening his chances of reelection in November.

Gaza health officials say that more than 34,500 people have been killed since the war began, as cited by AP. Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 killed around 1,200 people and resulted in nearly 250 hostages.

What We Know

Biden added during his exclusive interview with Burnett that he has "made it clear to" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his "war cabinet" that "they're not going to get our support, if in fact, they go in these population centers" in Gaza.

"We're not walking away from Israel security. We're walking away from Israel's ability to wage war in those areas," the president said.

The IDF announced on Monday that it was "conducting targeted strikes against Hamas terror targets in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip." Just hours earlier, Hamas leadership said in a statement that it had approved Qatari and Egyptian official's proposal for a ceasefire in the conflict.

Biden said on Wednesday that the IDF had yet to enter Rafah "population centers," which would be a "redline" for Washington.

Views

Several Republican leaders have rebuked Biden's decision to pause additional aid for Israel, including House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, who said earlier in the day on Wednesday that Biden was "not complying" with Congress' wishes.

"It's just another example where President Joe Biden has failed to support our most precious ally: Israel," Stefanik said during an appearance on Fox and Friends. "Congress passed supplemental funding and military aid to Israel and it is outrageous and is not complying with congressional intent, the fact that the Biden administration is holding these back."

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also wrote in a letter to Biden on Wednesday that "security assistance to Israel is an urgent priority that must not be delayed." The letter asked that the White House respond "by the end of the week" and provide additional clarity on Biden's decision to pause the weapons shipment.

Newsweek reached out to the White House on Wednesday for comment on Johnson and McConnell's letter.

What's Next

Congress authorized an additional $14 billion in aid to Israel last month amid a $95 billion foreign aid spending package. Washington officials have said that the weapons shipment that was delayed to Israel is not related to the spending package.

Update 05/08/24, 8:16 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.