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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
