White House spokesman John Kirby has been criticized after claiming that the Israeli military is doing a better job protecting civilians in Gaza than its American counterparts.
Kirby was challenged by a reporter on Tuesday about the Israel Defense Forces' response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
According to officials in Gaza, the IDF responded with a military operation that killed over 28,000 Palestinians and displaced 2.3 million.
Kirby said he has seen the IDF “take measures – sometimes measures that even I'm not even sure our own military would take – to inform civilians before operations where to go or where to go.” not. 'You have taken steps.'
This angered many on social media, particularly those on the left, where The Nation writer Jeet Heer argued: “If I were at the Pentagon, I would be very upset that a government spokesman would say that the US military has less consideration for civilian lives than the IDF.'
White House spokesman John Kirby has been criticized after claiming that the Israeli military is doing a better job protecting civilians in Gaza than its American counterparts
Kirby was challenged by a reporter on Tuesday about the Israel Defense Forces' response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis
Kirby himself is a retired Navy rear admiral.
The Intercept's Ryan Grim added, citing recent Israeli military operations, “This guy has lost his temper.”
“This is the American government, quite literally, willing to tarnish the image of its own military – undoubtedly the country's most sacred institution – and sacrifice it so Israel can continue its slaughter.” “Absolutely unreal,” added the entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand added.
Another user on
Kirby admitted that the casualties and displacement were still too high for Washington.
“Of course, these steps, while notable, have not been enough to reduce civilian casualties, which is why the president spoke so openly about this yesterday and why we will continue to do everything we can to put pressure on the Israelis.” “I have to be more careful,” he said.
However, Hill reporter Niall Stanage responded dissatisfiedly: “But respectfully, [Biden’s] I've been talking about this forcefully for a long time. And the Israelis have now hammered people into this tiny corner of southwest Gaza, chained to the Egyptian border, where people believe disaster is looming [inaudible]. Shouldn't there be more forceful actions than just words?'
Kirby noted that “we work very, very closely with our Israeli counterparts,” adding that they would not support a military operation in Rafah that did not take refugees into account.
Kirby said he has seen the IDF “take measures – sometimes measures that even I'm not even sure our own military would take – to inform civilians before operations where to go or where to go.” “Don’t.” They took steps.
President Biden welcomed Jordan's King Abdullah II to the White House on Monday for talks on how to end the months-long war and plan for the future.
The meeting with Abdullah comes as Biden and his aides work to bring about another pause in Israel's war against Hamas, to send humanitarian aid and supplies to the region and to free hostages.
The White House is facing growing criticism from Arab Americans over the government's continued support for Israel amid rising casualties in Gaza since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7.
“The key elements of the deal are on the table,” Biden said alongside the king, although “there are still gaps.”
He said the U.S. would do “everything possible” to reach an agreement: a pause in fighting for at least six weeks and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.