Joe Biden recently found himself on the receiving end of backlash when he questioned the accuracy of death toll figures from Gaza. His comments sparked outrage, leading him to issue an apology to several influential Muslim-American leaders.
In a press conference on October 25, Biden voiced his doubts about the casualty numbers reported by the Hamas government in Gaza. “I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed,” he said. This statement drew criticism from numerous corners, prompting a meeting with five Muslim-American leaders the very next day.
During this meeting, the leaders shared stories of individuals they knew who were directly affected by the Middle East conflict. These personal accounts seemed to strike a chord with Biden, as he expressed remorse for his earlier comments. “I’m sorry. I’m disappointed in myself,” he confessed, according to the Washington Post.
Biden secretly apologizes to a group of Muslims for questioning Hamas's death counthttps://t.co/DuQvwWgk3o
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) November 27, 2023
The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health has reported that the ongoing war has claimed the lives of over 14,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including numerous women and children. Meanwhile, Israel has suffered more than 1,200 fatalities, mainly civilians, due to a surprise attack by the Hamas terror group on October 7.
Despite the president’s apology, his handling of the situation in Gaza continues to attract criticism. Some prominent Democrats have even publicly disagreed with Biden’s response to the war.
Biden has endorsed U.S. support for Israel following the October 7 attack, but he has also advocated for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and for hostages held by Hamas to be released.
“We know that innocent children in Gaza are suffering greatly as well,” Biden stated, showing empathy for the Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. However, such statements seem at odds with his earlier skepticism about the reported death toll.
As of Friday, Hamas and Israel agreed to a temporary ceasefire for four days as part of a hostage-for-prisoner deal. This arrangement aims to free roughly 50 hostages in exchange for temporary peace and the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners.
Biden’s recent apology shows an acknowledgment of his misstep, but it also raises questions about his understanding of the situation in Gaza. Regardless of the politics involved, it is crucial to remember that every life lost in this conflict is a tragedy.
Source: Fox News