U.S. Policy on Gaza and Minneapolis School Shooting: A Dual Crisis in Focus
U.S. Policy and Its Impact on Gaza
The United States’ role in the Israel-Gaza conflict has been a subject of intense scrutiny, particularly as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. According to exclusive interviews conducted by NPR with over 24 former senior Biden administration officials, there were deep divisions within the administration on how to address Israel’s war in Gaza. These officials revealed a split between two camps: one advocating for pressuring Israel to adhere to the Geneva Conventions for civilian protection and humanitarian aid, and another favoring a more permissive stance, allowing Israel to pursue its military objectives against Hamas while quietly pushing for increased aid to Gaza’s civilians.
The consequences of these policy debates have been stark. A U.N.-backed panel confirmed famine in Gaza last week, underscoring the dire situation exacerbated by an Israeli food blockade. NPR reporters Kat Lonsdorf, Fatma Tanis, and Tom Bowman highlighted frustrations among U.S. officials, with some noting that President Biden and other senior figures spent hours negotiating with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over specific aid quantities, often losing sight of the broader humanitarian crisis. Some officials argued that the U.S. could have done more to prevent famine, including leveraging the threat of withholding weapons shipments to Israel, but such measures were not fully pursued.
Further complicating the U.S.’s role, NPR reported in June 2024 that Israel used a U.S.-made GBU-39 small-diameter bomb in a deadly strike on a U.N. school compound in Nuseirat, Gaza, killing at least 32 people, including seven children. U.S. defense officials criticized the strike, noting that the bomb, designed for precision and low collateral damage, was used improperly, leading to significant civilian casualties. The U.S. State Department called on Israel to identify those killed, but the Israeli military only named nine alleged militants, leaving broader questions about accountability unanswered.
The Biden administration’s approach has drawn criticism for its perceived hesitancy to exert stronger pressure on Israel. While some officials claimed their efforts mitigated worse outcomes, the ongoing famine and high civilian death toll—over 140 reported deaths in central Gaza in a single offensive—highlight the limitations of U.S. influence. As the conflict continues into 2025, with Israeli raids shutting down hospitals in northern Gaza, the question remains: could the U.S. have done more to alleviate Gaza’s suffering?
Minneapolis School Shooting Shocks Community
In a separate tragedy closer to home, Minneapolis was rocked by a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Church on August 27, 2025. A 23-year-old shooter, identified as Robin Westman, opened fire during a morning Mass marking the first week of school, killing two children and wounding 17 others. Westman, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, fired through the windows of the church from outside, leaving behind a video scheduled to post on YouTube that included disturbing writings, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Minnesota Public Radio’s Matt Sepic reported the account of Pat Scallen, a school alum who rushed to the scene after hearing gunshots. Scallen described assisting injured children, including a boy and a girl with gunshot wounds, until emergency services arrived. The shooting, described as “horrific violence” by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has left the community grappling with grief and questions about motive, which law enforcement is still investigating.
The incident has reignited debates over gun violence in the U.S., particularly in schools, with city officials emphasizing that the shooter was “contained” and posed no further threat to the community. However, the trauma inflicted on students, families, and the broader Minneapolis area underscores the persistent challenge of addressing such acts of violence.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The crises in Gaza and Minneapolis, though distinct, reflect broader challenges facing the United States: navigating its role in global conflicts and addressing domestic tragedies. The Biden administration’s struggle to balance support for Israel with humanitarian concerns in Gaza reveals the complexities of U.S. foreign policy, while the Minneapolis shooting serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing epidemic of gun violence. Both stories, as covered by NPR, highlight the urgent need for reflection and action on the part of policymakers and communities alike.
Sources: NPR, New Hampshire Public Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, ABC News