U.S. affirms support for Israel even as censure of Biden policy grows

The United States on Monday vowed it would continue to arm Israel in its campaign against Hamas, even as such support has drawn criticism that's leaving the Biden administration increasingly isolated on the international stage.

Fighting continued in the third month of the conflict in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting another 110 people killed in strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp near Gaza City.

The United Nations Security Council was set to vote on another call for a ceasefire in the besieged territory after previous bids were vetoed by Israel's key ally, the United States.

However, the vote was postponed until Tuesday as negotiations continued over the text of the document, diplomatic sources at the United Nations told AFP.

Protests against Washington's support for Israel have grown in cities across the U.S. From banners that read "Aid to Israel = Bombing Palestinians" to American Jews wearing slogans such as "not in our name," mounting criticism has reshaped public discourse in a country where historically pro-Palestinian voices had only existed among minority groups and university campuses.

Many international leaders and human rights organizations have condemned the U.S. for its persistent backing of Israel. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who has been coordinating with Washington on a plan for post-war Gaza and whose Fatah Party has engaged in a power struggle with Hamas for years, rebuffed the U.S. as he denounced "anyone who encourages Israel to continue its killings" last week.

Visiting Israel, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, "We must get more humanitarian assistance in to the nearly two million displaced people in Gaza, and we must distribute that aid better."

Against the backdrop of Austin's trip to the Middle East is the Gaza conflict's potential spread around the region, with the Houthi armed movement in Yemen attacking international shipping in the Red Sea to show support for Hamas.

The United States on Monday announced a 10-nation coalition to quell Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain and Italy among the countries joining.

(With input from AFP)

(Cover: This handout picture released by the Israeli army on December 18, 2023, shows a soldier taking position during operations in Gaza amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. /CFP)