In an exclusive interview with CBS, US President Joe Biden has revealed his reasons for dropping out of the 2024 presidential race, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining democracy and ensuring a united front for the Democratic Party. Biden's decision to step aside and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's candidate was motivated by concerns that his campaign would overshadow crucial policy discussions and potentially hurt other Democratic candidates in House and Senate races.

Speaking on the CBS News Sunday Morning program, Biden acknowledged that the polls had indicated a tight race, but his concerns were primarily focused on avoiding distractions and divisions within the party. "If I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. You'd be interviewing me about 'Why did Nancy Pelosi say...' 'Why did so-and-so...'," Biden explained, emphasizing his desire to maintain a singular focus on defeating former President Donald Trump.

Biden, now 81 years old, announced his decision to not seek re-election earlier this year and threw his support behind Vice President Harris in July. Despite the initial polls showing Trump with a significant lead over Biden, Harris's entry into the race has shifted the dynamics. An Ipsos poll published recently indicated that Harris leads Trump nationally by 42 percent to 37 percent in the upcoming November 5 election.

While the Democratic Party has not yet officially announced Harris as its presidential candidate, doubts have been raised within the party about her ability to effectively challenge Trump. However, Biden remains steadfast in his belief that defeating Trump is of paramount importance. "Although it's a great honor being president, I think I have an obligation to the country to do what [is] the most important thing you can do, and that is, we must, we must, we must defeat Trump," Biden expressed.

In addition to discussing the electoral landscape, Biden addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, underscoring his commitment to achieving a ceasefire before his presidency concludes. He mentioned the plan he put together, endorsed by the G7 and the UN Security Council, and expressed his team's continuous efforts in preventing the situation from escalating into a regional war.

Reporting from Washington DC, Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher highlighted that one of the factors contributing to Biden's unfavorable polling numbers was his support for Israel in its war on Gaza, along with his perceived inability to secure a ceasefire. Fisher noted that Biden intends to send more members of his team to Israel in an effort to facilitate a resolution to the conflict.

Calls for a ceasefire have intensified, particularly following a deadly Israeli attack on a school in Gaza on Saturday. The incident reignited calls for the US to reconsider its staunch support for Israel, including arms transfers that critics argue contribute to atrocities in the Palestinian enclave. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians and numerous injuries.

As criticism mounts domestically and internationally, including from human rights groups, the US government has faced scrutiny for its military assistance to Israel. Notably, the attack occurred just a day after the US State Department confirmed the provision of $3.5 billion in funding for US weapons and military equipment to Israel.

While the White House acknowledged Hamas's use of schools as operational bases, it also underscored the importance of minimizing harm to civilians in Israel's military actions.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll, with an estimated 39,790 deaths and 92,002 injuries in Gaza, while in Israel, over 1,139 people have been killed during Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with over 200 taken captive.

As the situation in Gaza unfolds and the presidential race takes new turns, the US remains at a critical juncture both domestically and in its foreign policy approach, balancing its commitment to democracy, calls for justice, and the complex dynamics of the region.