Staff Reports
In a heated exchange during a press briefing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby shut down a reporter who dared to question President Biden’s response to the conflict in Gaza. The reporter had the audacity to ask if Biden would apologize for his remarks and if Kirby thought they were “insensitive” or “harsh.” Kirby didn’t hold back in his response.
With passion in his voice, Kirby fired back, “What’s harsh is the way Hamas is using innocent people as human shields! What’s harsh is their disregard for human life, like when they hold hundreds of hostages and cause families untold anxiety and worry. And let’s not forget, what’s harsh is their cruel attacks on innocent young people at a music festival. It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”
“What’s harsh — what’s harsh is the way Hamas is using people as human shields. What’s harsh is taking a couple of hundred hostages and leaving families and anxious, waiting and worrying to figure out where their loved ones are.”
pic.twitter.com/XRJq9iHZzb— Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) October 26, 2023
Kirby didn’t stop there. He continued to lay out the harsh realities of war, acknowledging that civilian casualties are a tragic part of the conflict. He made it clear that both he and the president are well aware of the devastating toll of war. However, he emphasized that they do not dismiss any of these casualties as insignificant. Each lost life is a tragedy.
But Kirby didn’t let Hamas off the hook. He placed blame squarely on the terrorist organization for the civilian casualties, stating that they prevent Gaza residents from evacuating when asked to do so by Israel’s Defense Forces. He stressed the importance of Hamas allowing these innocent people to leave and criticized their cruel tactics.
It’s refreshing to see Kirby and the president standing up to Hamas and speaking the truth about the situation. They refuse to blindly accept the casualty figures provided by the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Ministry, and rightly so. It’s crucial to be cautious and skeptical, especially when dealing with a terrorist organization known for its manipulation and propaganda.
Overall, Kirby’s powerful response demonstrated the administration’s unwavering commitment to both the Israeli people and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire. This is the kind of strong leadership we need to navigate these challenging times.
