Obama Says Israel Has Right to Defend Itself But Warns Military Strategy That Ignores Human Cost Could Backfire

Former president acknowledges the “enormously difficult task,” as “Hamas’ military operations are deeply embedded within Gaza.”

Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at an event held by the Obama Foundation at the Javits Center in New York City on Nov. 17, 2022. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama has reiterated his stance that Israel has a right to defend itself but warns that “any military strategy that ignores” the loss of civilian lives in Gaza could backfire for Israel and its allies.

In a new Oct. 23 post shared on Medium, his second since the start of the conflict, President Obama called the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas “horrific,” and applauded America’s stance of rightly declaring “solidarity with the Israeli people.”