Obama faces backlash for 'bothsides-ing' Israel's genocide in Gaza truce post

Former US President Barack Obama has come under fire for comments about the Gaza ceasefire for equating victims and aggressors and erasing Palestinian suffering.

The remarks, which many saw as Obama framing Israel with empathy and stripping Palestinians of their humanity, came after the announcement of an agreement between Israel and Hamas.

"After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered," Obama posted on X.

He added that it now fell on "Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the US and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza – and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace".

Media critic Sana Saeed described Obama's phrasing as "a masterclass in seven words on how Palestinians are rendered faceless and nameless when slaughtered, while Israelis are granted empathy, especially when they are the butchers".

Palestinian-American human rights lawyer Noura Erakat said: "The 'people' of Gaza are Palestinians. They have survived a genocide and an ongoing attempt to eliminate them for over a century."Others said his use of the word "conflict" to describe Israel’s assault on Gaza distorted the nature of the violence.

"It’s a genocide," wrote historian Assal Rad. "There is no accountability without acknowledging it, and there is no justice without accountability."

Obama has not addressed the criticism. He had previously faced similar criticism for statements on Israel and Palestine.

In October 2023, he defended Israel's "right to defend itself" while urging restraint, a position slammed as "bothsidesism" Israel's bombardment of Gaza and ignored the decades-long occupation.

He also drew condemnation for an October 2024 post marking the anniversary of Hamas's attack that mentioned Israeli victims but not the more than 41,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza at the time.

Israel's military attacks on Gaza have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children, while displacing nearly the entire population and destroying much of the enclave’s infrastructure.

On Thursday, Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage-exchange agreement, brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.