Biden Officials Criticize Israel's Gaza War Strategy and Netanyahu's Handling

Senior former Biden administration officials have openly criticized Israel's management of the Gaza conflict and the White House's approach during President Joe Biden's tenure. According to a detailed New Yorker report based on interviews with dozens of former officials, many believe the U.S. did not exert enough pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government despite repeated private warnings about the conduct and consequences of the fighting.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that the administration repeatedly debated halting arms shipments to Israel but ultimately refrained, hoping a hostage deal and ceasefire were imminent. Sullivan admitted in hindsight that the U.S. should have pressured Israel more to adopt a different approach. Officials described Netanyahu as a gambler emboldened by unconditional U.S. support, taking greater risks including escalating tensions with Iran. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin likened Netanyahu to "a gambler playing with the house's money."

The report highlights American frustration over Israel's failure to provide adequate advance warnings before strikes, with one official calling the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah shortly after U.S. calls for a ceasefire "an embarrassment" to Biden. The intensity of Israeli bombardment shocked U.S. officials, who questioned the legitimacy of so many targeted military objectives in such a short time.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressured Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that it was a moral, strategic, and legal imperative. Only after Blinken threatened to cancel Biden's planned Israel visit did Israel permit limited aid. The administration also drafted a strong Biden speech aimed at Israeli citizens to criticize the war's management and advocate for a hostage-focused, less destructive path, but Netanyahu and former minister Ron Dermer convinced Biden to abandon the plan, claiming a hostage deal was near. Some U.S. officials later accused Netanyahu of playing games.

Sullivan described sleepless nights pondering what the U.S. could have done differently, lamenting the repeated advances and retreats on humanitarian aid. Deputy National Security Advisor John Feiner sharply criticized the war's conduct, stating that civilian harm was a deliberate strategy for both Hamas and Israel, and that the U.S. should not tolerate wars where civilian casualties are a goal or allow its weapons to be used for that purpose.

Overall, the report reveals deep tensions and regrets within the Biden administration over the Gaza war, Israel's tactics, and the limits of U.S. influence during the crisis.