In response to mounting criticism within the State Department ranks, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has taken steps to address concerns over the Biden administration's policy on the Israel-Hamas war. A number of U.S. government employees have openly and privately advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza, leading to at least three cables critiquing the administration's stance being filed through the Department's internal dissent channel.

The criticism primarily focuses on President Joe Biden's unwavering support for Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, marking the deadliest assault in the nation's history. In response, Israel has launched a relentless military campaign on Gaza, resulting in the death of over 11,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, and intensifying the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

While numerous Arab and Palestinian leaders, as well as others, have called on the United States to urge Israel to halt its assault, Washington has declined to do so. Instead, the Biden administration has advocated for humanitarian pauses to facilitate aid and the evacuation of Americans and foreigners from the region.

In an effort to address the concerns raised among State Department employees, Secretary Blinken, who recently returned from a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Asia, sent an email addressing the emotional toll the conflict has had on the workforce and acknowledging possible divisions within the ranks over policy. The letter, obtained by Reuters, expressed Blinken's understanding of the suffering caused by the crisis and stated that feedback from employees is informing policy decisions.

Blinken's email comes at a time when protests are taking place in the United States and other countries, calling for an immediate ceasefire. Last week, over 500 individuals who worked on President Biden's 2020 election campaign published a letter urging his support for a ceasefire. Additionally, a group of congressional staffers held a vigil at the Capitol demanding the same. Meanwhile, there has been "deep frustration" among some members of the State Department working-level staff, according to sources.

While the Department welcomes diverse voices, several U.S. officials have indicated that it is unlikely that Biden's policy will undergo significant change. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Blinken has been meeting with individuals from various bureaus within the agency to gather their feedback, encouraging them to express their disagreements even if the policy remains unchanged.

As the international community continues to navigate the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the internal debate within the State Department underscores the challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing support for Israel with addressing concerns over civilian casualties and the ongoing violence in Gaza.