'Disappointed' Biden Apologized After Showing Skepticism About Hamas Death Toll Claims

President Joe Biden privately apologized to Muslim leaders last month after expressing doubt about the number of people the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said had been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas. Biden cast doubt on the reported death toll in the area, which the Gaza Health Ministry said was 6,000 Palestinians, including 2,700 children, at the time — skepticism that was received poorly among some in the party. The president later met with several Muslim leaders about the humanitarian problems in Gaza and offered an apology afterward. “I’m sorry. I’m disappointed in myself,” he reportedly said. “I will do better.” The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, has a long history of inflating death tolls. Hamas fighters also routinely embed themselves in civilian and humanitarian areas, such as the Shifa Hospital, to create human shields and try to condemn Israel for killing civilians in its attempts to wipe out the terrorist organization.

Dozens of Biden administration staffers have reportedly expressed concern in private over Biden's stance on Israel's war with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with some aides considering the matter the single biggest struggle of his presidency. A group of staffers, aides, and allies, many of them Muslims, has reportedly relayed significant worries about the president's approach to the war and unwavering embrace of Israel to higher-level officials. "I think the administration has realized from quite early on that it was in a bind,” said Ivo Daalder, chief executive of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Daalder was also a NATO representative during former President Barack Obama's administration. He added, “And it was in a bind not only because of Biden’s own predilection, which is real and strong and important,” but also because the administration's actions in support of or against Israel carry political costs.

Earlier this month, 20 staffers were granted a meeting with White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, senior adviser Anita Dunn, and deputy national security adviser Jon Finer. The group sought to find out how the administration is addressing civilian deaths in Gaza, its message going forward, and what the administration thinks the region should look like following the conflict, according to the Washington Post, which conducted interviews with 27 White House officials, including senior administration officials, as well as outside advisers. The meeting wasn't fruitful, though, with Zients, Dunn, and Finer reportedly relying on established talking points. The opposing groups are largely characterized as younger and more diverse staffers, who are less supportive of Israel, versus more seasoned veteran staffers.

Many young Muslim staffers sought to vent frustrations in private group chats with each other, and several have even been urged by family and friends to leave the Biden administration, according to the report. Many have chosen to stay. But they've said they no longer feel the ability to affect change in the White House. “I don’t have any optimism at this point that anything is changing in terms of the policy,” one staffer said. Keeping in mind changing demographics in the country and within the Democratic base, particularly in swing states, Biden's administration has faced something of a balancing act. The White House has been working to provide outreach simultaneously to the Jewish community and the Muslim community so as not to alienate voters in either group. To do this, Dunn has been holding daily meetings with the roughly 30 staffers charged with these efforts.

In recent days, though, aides have argued that messaging on the war should be more balanced instead of fully supporting Israel. Biden, in turn, has been more direct regarding Israel's responsibility to minimize civilian casualties and make sure aid is able to get to Gaza. Biden has long been a devoted supporter of Israel and came out with a forceful response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks. This was applauded by some as a show of strength, while it worried some in the Democratic Party — and within his administration. The White House did not respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment.

Washington Examiner: 'Disappointed' Biden apologized after showing skepticism about Hamas death toll claims
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