Former United States President, Barack Obama, on Friday delivered a sharp rebuke of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, questioning the rationale behind continued bombardment and reiterating support for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Speaking at an event in Dublin, Ireland, Obama argued that Israel’s campaign has gone beyond military logic.
“I think that it is important for us to acknowledge those of us who are not direct parties to the violence to say, right now, children can’t starve. Right now, there’s not a military rationale for continuing to pummel what is already rubble,” he said, according to a transcript from his office.
The former president stressed the urgent need for political resolution, adding, “It is unacceptable to ignore the human crisis that is happening inside of Gaza, and it is necessary for us to insist that both sides have to find a path in which a Palestinian state and autonomy exist side by side with a secure Israel.”
Obama’s unusually candid remarks come as the war in Gaza dominates discussions at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
His comments also stood in contrast to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on the same day blasted Western recognition of Palestinian statehood, accusing world leaders of “buckling under the pressure of a biased media, radical Islamist constituencies and antisemitic mobs.”
Reflecting on his often tense dealings with Netanyahu during his presidency, Obama said political leaders in the region frequently prioritize their own survival over peace.
“Unfortunately, oftentimes the leadership, the politicians have a vested interest in maintaining the notion that it is simply us and them, and it’s their fault because that helps keep them in power,” he noted. “It’s a cynical game. I watched it throughout my presidency, and I was not always popular in that region because I would call them on it. I think it’s fair to say that me and the prime minister of Israel, who’s still there, were not the best of friends.”
At the same time, Obama criticized Hamas, condemning its tactics as reckless. “Hamas’s vicious approach to trying to solve a problem that puts all their people at risk is the height of cynicism that I reject as well,” he added.
Israel launched its ground offensive in Gaza City earlier this month, following an August decision to seize control of the battered urban area, described as one of Hamas’s last major strongholds.
The United Nations has cautioned that such operations could force the displacement of roughly 1 million Palestinians.
According to the Israeli military, 640,000 people have already fled the city, though that number has not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, Washington has been working on diplomatic avenues to halt the fighting. U.S. envoys recently presented Arab leaders with a 21-point peace framework, and President Donald Trump publicly signaled frustration with Netanyahu’s stance.
From the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump drew a clear line on Israeli expansion into Palestinian territories.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” he declared, confirming that he had spoken directly with Netanyahu on the issue. “It’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
