Obama warns some Israeli actions in Gaza could be counterproductive

(Patria) - Some of Israel's actions in the war against Hamas, such as cutting off food and water to Gaza, could "harden Palestinian attitudes for generations" and weaken international support for Israel, said former US President Barack Obama, Reuters reports.

In rare comments on the foreign policy crisis, Obama said that any Israeli military strategy that ignores the human cost of war "could ultimately be counterproductive".

"The Israeli government's decision to cut off food, water, and electricity to the trapped civilian population (in Gaza) not only threatens to worsen the growing humanitarian crisis, but 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 said.

Obama condemned Hamas's attack and reiterated support for Israel's right to defend itself, while warning of risks to civilians in such wars. It is unclear whether Obama coordinated his statement with President Joe Biden, who was his vice president for eight years.

During his presidency, Obama supported Israel's right to self-defense at the beginning of conflicts with Hamas in Gaza, but called for Israeli restraint when Palestinian casualties rose during airstrikes. The Obama administration sought, but ultimately failed to achieve, a peace agreement in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Since taking office in early 2021, Biden has not attempted to resume those long-standing talks, saying leaders on both sides are too intractable.

Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a strained relationship while Obama was in office, including when the Obama administration negotiated the Iran nuclear deal. Biden, as Obama's vice president, often acted as a mediator between the two.