Biden aide acknowledges missteps on Gaza and regrets failure to express concern over loss of Palestinian life
CBSFeb 12
Fighting at Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital Enters Second Week
The Facts
After launching an operation into Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital a week ago, heavy fighting is still reported in and around the complex, with the Israeli military saying it had killed over 170 Hamas militants. Videos from al-Shifa and witnesses at the scene described widespread destruction and mass arrests.
Israeli forces also reportedly encircled two hospitals in Khan Younis on Monday, as the country's military has argued that Hamas uses hospitals as bases and command centers. The situation at al-Shifa is still unclear.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US is doing everything it can to both ensure that Israel can eliminate Hamas' military capabilities and prevent regional escalation. Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks, whether from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US will always support Israel in maintaining its security. However, Netanyahu is going too far with the war in Gaza, and he must be willing to follow through on his promises and compromise as needed so that another extended truce can take effect. Netanyahu must also understand that Israel only pushes Palestinians into Hamas' hands when it kills civilians.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though the media and international agencies are more than happy to parrot Qatari-backed Hamas-adjacent propaganda, the truth is Israel is one of the few countries in the world to go as far as it does to ensure the safety of civilians. Of course, war is a tragedy that often creates situations in which individuals commit heinous acts. What makes Israel different, however, is that it actively investigates and holds accountable those who commit abuses, and the media should spend more time investigating Hamas' terrorist atrocities to which Israel has been forced to respond.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The laundry list of Israel's crimes in Gaza grows by the day. Even if not every allegation is true, the course of this war and the sheer amount of condemning evidence clearly demonstrates a systematic policy of targeting Palestinian civilians. The international community is increasingly recognizing that Israel is guilty of the crime of genocide in Gaza, and it must be held accountable for such cruel acts.
Nerd narrative
There's a 67% chance that Israel will have de facto power in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.