I think that when you're fighting against an enemy that's hiding behind its own population, using them as human shields, the administration has said this, Secretary Blinken has said this repeatedly, there's going to be civilian casualties.
Michael Oren discusses the expected civilian casualties in the context of the ongoing conflict and the pressures faced by the Biden administration.
Share
More from Michael Oren
The Israeli public opinion is running very high against providing this type of aid to the Palestinians. There is a deep feeling among the Israeli public that the Palestinian population in Gaza was highly supportive of Hamas.
We've learned that Hamas will hold onto these hostages. Some will be killed. Many will be tortured. But generally, Hamas wants to hold on to these hostages and use them as bargaining chips.
I would like to see more aid personally, and I'm sure that this -- what has occurred, this tragedy will probably strengthen the president's hand and trying to persuade Israeli leaders to go against public opinion.
This is the horrible reality of this war, and it's just in our -- no, it's not just a story. I'm a dad and a grandad, and it's just heartbreaking, the whole thing.