US President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to Israel, expressing concern over its "indiscriminate bombing" of civilians in the Gaza Strip and cautioning that the country risks losing international support.
The President's comments were made during a political fundraiser where he criticized the Israeli government's actions and called for a change in its conservative leadership.
Biden emphasized that while Israel historically enjoyed broad support, its current approach, marked by indiscriminate bombing, is eroding the global backing it once had.
The President's remarks echoed sentiments shared by many nations, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, who jointly called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The situation escalated as the UN General Assembly prepared to vote on a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution garnered overwhelming support, with 153 member states out of 193 backing it, highlighting the global consensus for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
Notably, the United States, Israel, and Austria voted against the resolution, signalling a growing isolation of the Biden administration on the world stage.
The international community expressed "grave concern" over the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza and the suffering of Palestinian civilians. The resolution called for the protection of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians under international law and demanded the immediate release of all hostages.
The US faced criticism for vetoing a similar resolution in the UN Security Council just days prior, further isolating the Biden administration. The President's unwavering support for Israel, following a Hamas attack in October that killed nearly 1,200 people, mainly civilians, has left him exposed internationally.
As tensions rose, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan prepared to travel to Israel for talks with the Israeli war cabinet. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed "full backing" from the US for the ground offensive in Gaza, stating that Washington had blocked "international pressure to stop the war."
However, the US vision for the eventual return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza clashed with Israel's stance, creating further diplomatic challenges.
On the ground in Gaza, reports indicated that Israeli shelling targeted a hospital and a UNWRA school in the northern region, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk described the situation in Gaza as "well beyond breakdown," with 18 per cent of Gaza's infrastructure destroyed since the conflict began.
UNOSAT, the UN's satellite analysis agency, revealed that nearly 40,000 buildings were destroyed in the besieged enclave, with 80 per cent of the damage concentrated in northern Gaza.
The agency's findings underscored the extensive destruction caused by the conflict, further fuelling international calls for an immediate ceasefire.
As the diplomatic rift widened, the US found itself increasingly isolated on the world stage, prompting concerns about the country's standing in international affairs.