In a controversial statement, White House spokesperson John Kirby faced severe criticism after suggesting that the Israeli military is doing a better job at safeguarding civilians in Gaza than their American counterparts would. Kirby's remarks came in response to a reporter's question regarding the Israeli Defense Forces' response to a terror attack by Hamas on October 7, which tragically claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis.

Kirby acknowledged witnessing the IDF taking actions that he believes the US military might hesitate to take, such as informing civilian populations about pending operations and urging them on where to go or avoid. However, these comments quickly ignited anger, particularly among left-leaning commentators who accused Kirby of belittling the US military's commitment to civilian protection.

Notable figures, including Jeet Heer from The Nation, expressed outrage at Kirby's statement, with Heer suggesting that Pentagon officials would be deeply upset by the assertion that the US military values civilian lives less than the IDF. Ryan Grim of The Intercept also voiced his concern, stating that Kirby seemed to have "lost it." Entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand added to the criticism, condemning the US government for tarnishing the image of its own military to protect Israeli interests.

The public outcry extended to social media platforms, where users questioned the impact of such statements on military recruitment. Meanwhile, Kirby did acknowledge that the casualties and displacement from Israeli military operations in Gaza were still unacceptably high for Washington. He emphasized that additional steps needed to be taken to reduce civilian casualties and vowed to press Israel to exercise more caution.

During a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II, President Biden discussed strategies to bring an end to the months-long war and plan for the post-conflict phase. Biden and his team are actively working to broker a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid and supplies into the region and facilitating the release of remaining hostages held by the militant group.

The White House, however, faces mounting criticism from Arab Americans over its continued support for Israel amidst the escalating casualties in Gaza since the October 7 attack by Hamas. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Biden assured that the US would do everything possible to reach an agreement, including a six-week pause in hostilities and the safe release of hostages.

As tensions in the region persist, Kirby's statement adds fuel to an already heated debate on the US role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The controversy highlights the challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing its relationship with Israel while addressing the concerns of those advocating for Palestinian rights and security.