America's role in the Israel-Hamas war is taking shape
Image: Reuters
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas entered its third week on Saturday, and the US’ approach to the conflict is starting to emerge.
President Biden delivered a national address on Friday, in which he asked Congress for $14.3 billion in military support for Israel and $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine (the request came as part of a larger $106 billion funding proposal mostly composed of military and economic aid to Ukraine).
One day later, the Pentagon announced the deployment of two aircraft carriers and additional advanced weapons systems to the Middle East, as well as a plan to ready US troops for a potential deployment to the area in non-combat roles.
- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the moves are part of the Pentagon’s strategy to assist in the defense of Israel, to deter the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading, and to increase protection for US forces already stationed in the Middle East (who came under attack twice last week).
đź’Ą In other Israel-Hamas news: Israel carried out airstrikes over the weekend against targets in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Syria, including a mosque in a West Bank refugee camp that Israel says housed underground bunkers used by Hamas.
More updates from the past three days:
- An American mother and daughter taken hostage in Hamas’ surprise attack against Israel on October 7 were released on Friday; they’re the first of an estimated 200 Hamas hostages to be set free.
- The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza was temporarily opened on Saturday to allow the passage of 20 trucks with humanitarian aid. More than 100 additional trucks of aid have assembled on the Egyptian side of the border.
- A pair of video analyses by the AP and WSJ both concluded last week’s explosion at a Gaza hospital – which Hamas claims killed 471 Palestinians, but experts say caused less damage – most likely came from a rocket launched by militants in Gaza.
đź“Š Flash poll: In your opinion, what role should the US play in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war?
- Deploy troops and aid (military and/or humanitarian) to assist Israel in combat
- Deploy troops and aid (military and/or humanitarian) as a deterrent for wider war, but stay out of Israel
- Send military or humanitarian aid, but don’t deploy any troops
- Focus exclusively on humanitarian aid
- Stay completely out of the conflict
- Unsure/other
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that President Biden should let Israel know the US supports them in the fight against Hamas, but he should also impress on Israel the importance of avoiding civilian casualties in the conflict.
- Others contend that the US would be making a moral and strategic mistake by ignoring or refusing to help deal with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, since such a strategy has helped promote the current instability in Israel.
- “Biden Must Be Honest With Bibi” –Bloomberg Editorial Board
- “It would be a moral and strategic mistake to ignore Gaza’s plight” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “The world needs to act to avoid a wider conflict” –The Observer Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue the Biden admin should send a message to Iran that it will pay a considerable price if it continues to finance Hamas and intensify the conflict in the Middle East.
- Others contend that while Egypt’s reluctance to accept Palestinians is understandable, due to past historical events, President Biden should still threaten to cut off all US aid to Egypt unless the country agrees to take Gazan refugees.
- “The Biden White House must get serious with Iran” –Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial Board
- “No aid for Egypt until it takes Gaza refugees” –Washington Examiner Editorial Board
- “The world was safer under Donald Trump” –Liz Peek, The Hill
Share this!
Recent Discussion stories
Discussion
  | October 20, 2023What you should know about the current US economy
🤔💰 Q3 earnings season is fully underway this week, w/ more than 50 S&P 500 companies reporting results.
Discussion
  | October 18, 2023America’s migrant crisis is spreading from the southern border
🇺🇸 Major US cities from coast to coast are struggling to accommodate an influx of migrants who initially entered the US via the southern border, then were sent on buses across the country.
Discussion
  | October 16, 2023What happened over the weekend in the Israel-Hamas conflict
đź“ťđź’Ą Click to see a comprehensive list.
You've made it this far...
Let's make our relationship official, no 💍 or elaborate proposal required. Learn and stay entertained, for free.👇
All of our news is 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime; the quiz takes ~10 seconds to complete