Biden's Doubt on Palestinian Death Count Sparks Controversy
President Joe Biden has cast doubt on the Palestinian death count in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, stating that he has "no confidence" in the numbers provided by the Palestinians. Critics argue that this is part of the Biden administration's effort to dismiss Palestinian suffering and support Israel's bombing campaign. Human rights experts, including the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, have found the Palestinian Health Ministry's data to be reliable. The ministry's figures are based on data from hospitals and morgues, and while it is difficult to independently verify the numbers, they are within the range expected from the intensity of the airstrikes. The Biden administration has also rejected calls for independent investigations into suspected Israeli war crimes and has been accused of adopting the Israeli government's narratives at the expense of Palestinian victims.