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Former US president Barack Obama on Monday warned Israel that any military strategy that ignores the human costs could ultimately backfire and “plays into the hands” of enemies such as Hamas.
“The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population threatens not only to worsen a growing humanitarian crisis, it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies, and undermine long-term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” Mr Obama wrote.
He repeated his support for Israel's right to defend itself and said that Washington's historic ally faces “an enormously difficult task” in its counter-offensive in Gaza.
Mr Obama concluded his statement urging a rejection of anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian sentiments.
He also recognised Israel has “every right to exist,” but Palestinians have “also lived in disputed territories for generations
Mr Obama served two terms as US president between 2009 and 2017. During his time in office, a tense relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at times shook the US-Israeli special relationship.
This included Mr Netanyahu coming to a joint session of Congress to speak out against the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was a major part of Mr Obama's regional policy.
Barack Obama through the years – in pictures
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Former US president Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to long-time Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully in the East Room of the White House in 2016. AP -
Mr Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to basketball Hall of Fame member Bill Russell in 2011. AP -
Mr Obama talks with the UK's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, plays with Prince George and Michelle Obama talks with Prince Henry at Kensington Palace, London, in 2016. The White House / Getty Images -
Mr Obama speaks with Prince George in London. The White House / Getty Images -
Then-president Barack Obama blows out candles on birthday cupcakes brought to him by then-vice president Joe Biden at the White House in 2016. Photo: National Archives / Pete Souza -
Mr Obama with predecessors Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W Bush in Dallas, Texas, in April 2013. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama greets US embassy staff and their families at a hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2015. Photo: The National Archives -
Throwing darts at Manuel's Tavern before an interview with 'Vice' in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama inspects the replica of a prison cell at the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma, Alabama. Photo: The National Archives -
Awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Congressman John Lewis in 2011. The veteran politician died in 2020. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama strolls the lawn with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Photo: Barack Obama -
On vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Mr Obama shares a moment with his young niece, Savita. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama looks at jewellery at a shop before a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo: The National Archives -
President Barack Obama participates in the Gulf Co-operation Council Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 21, 2016. The president is seated with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama poses for a group selfie with the US Women's National Soccer Team celebrating their Fifa Women's World Cup victory at the White House on October 27, 2015. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama watches as a vendor writes a name using coloured sand in a bottle during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama receives a fist-bump from a US soldier as he greets hundreds of troops during his visit to Camp Victory, Iraq, April 7, 2009. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama and Mr Biden walk around the South Lawn of the White House during a break on a working Sunday, July 24, 2011. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama delivers remarks with the help of comedic actor Keegan-Michael Key as his 'anger translator' during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington, April 25, 2015. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama, wife Michelle, her mother and daughters Malia and Sasha join John Lewis, George W Bush, his wife Laura and other dignitaries to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, March 7, 2015. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama and Mr Biden high-five after watching Sasha Obama and Maisy Biden, the vice president's granddaughter, play in a basketball game in Chevy Chase, Maryland, February 27, 2010. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama talks with a young refugee as she paints at a Dignity for Children Foundation classroom in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama waves goodbye from the steps of Air Force One as he departs King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 4, 2009. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama views the area near the Treasury during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, March 23, 2013. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama walking near the pyramids in Egypt. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama removes his shoes as he prepares to visit the Blue Mosque on April 7, 2009, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama sits on the grass with daughter Sasha during a barbecue with family and friends in celebration of his 49th birthday on the South Lawn of the White House. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama views science exhibits during the 2015 White House Science Fair celebrating technology, engineering and math (Stem) competitions, March 23, 2015. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama and first lady Michelle Obama present a birthday cake to Assistant Usher Reggie Dickson, June 13, 2012. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama turns 61 this year. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama hugs Gabby Giffords as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in the House Chamber on January 24, 2012, at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama takes a moment to himself before delivering remarks to the nation after yet another mass shooting. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama jokingly scolds Mr Biden for dropping birthday cake in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama hugs his wife after she introduces him at a grassroots campaign event at Lagomarcino's Confectionary in Davenport, Iowa, August 15, 2012. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama attempts his best split with the 2016 US Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team. Photo: The National Archives -
Mr Obama on vacation in his home state of Hawaii. Photo: The National Archives
