Biden Administration’s Role in Gaza Examined

On January 15, 2025, President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, following the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Akbar Shahid Ahmed, a journalist with experience in covering Washington’s promises and actions, has delved into the Biden administration’s policy decisions regarding Gaza. His experiences reporting from Israel and Gaza since 2019, and particularly after the events of October 7, 2023, led him to write Crossing the Red Line: Biden, His Advisors, and Israel’s War in Gaza. The book is based on interviews with over 150 officials and explores the decisions behind U.S. support for Israel.

Ahmed’s book sheds light on how a small circle of senior officials in the Biden administration shaped crucial decisions on Gaza, often sidelining dissent and alternative views.

A significant aspect highlighted is the period following the 2024 U.S. presidential election when Biden’s senior officials discussed potential U.S. complicity in war crimes, especially amidst continued Israeli military actions in Gaza. Ahmed notes that despite public indications of restraint, internal discussions acknowledged an ongoing expansion of the Israeli campaign.

The book also describes a pattern where high-level decisions in the White House delayed actions and missed opportunities to pressure Israel to de-escalate. A term used by a former State Department official, “herd impunity,” captures how officials avoided making definitive claims about war crimes, thus preventing decisive actions.

In September 2025, a U.N. commission concluded that Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This finding was rejected by Israel, which denies committing war crimes and claims to investigate misconduct allegations.

Ahmed’s work questions the long-term impact of Biden’s policies, highlighting continued U.S. military support to Israel, including annual military aid and additional funds during conflict escalation. The narrative points out that despite changing administrations, the U.S. commitment to Israel remained unwavering.

Interviews reveal how the Biden administration’s approach reshaped standards of warfare and challenged democratic accountability. Many officials involved continue to hold significant roles, positioning themselves for future government opportunities.

According to Ahmed, understanding these decisions is crucial, as they not only affected Palestinian lives but also put numerous American and Israeli lives at risk, while altering U.S. foreign policy dynamics.