Israel is being warned by Biden not to occupy Gaza

As Israel responds to Hamas' terror strikes this month, President Joe Biden warned against invading Gaza in one of his most famous public calls for moderation.

Biden told CBS' “60 Minutes” on Sunday that Israel occupying Gaza would be a “big mistake”. Even as a humanitarian crisis grows in Gaza, Israel has signaled its readiness for a ground attack. Biden has called for civilian protection, and the US is addressing food, water, and gas shortages.

“What happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas and the extreme elements of Hamas don't represent all Palestinians,” Biden told Scott Pelley.

Biden believes Hamas should be eradicated, but a Palestinian Authority is needed. A Palestinian state must be possible.”

The comments are one of the few times the US president has urged Israel to respond reasonably to the Hamas bombings that killed 1,400 Israelis. Israel responded by striking the northern Gaza Strip, where Hamas attacked.

Gaza has become a humanitarian crisis, and Israel advised northern civilians to move to the south before an attack. Many human rights organizations say that's impossible since Israeli strikes have damaged infrastructure and Palestinians lack housing in one of the world's most densely inhabited areas.

 Biden told Pelley he wants a humanitarian corridor to rescue civilians stuck in the battle and that Israel will follow the “rules of war.”

“I believe Israel will follow the rules of war,” Biden stated. Democratic institutions and nations have standards. And so I'm convinced that Gaza's innocents will have access to medication, food, and water.”

He said “there is no clear evidence” that Iran attacked Israel.