A top adviser at the US Education Department, Tariq Habash, has resigned due to President Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war, becoming the second official to do so as the administration faces divisions over US support for Israel's bombardment in Gaza. Habash, the department's only Palestinian American political appointee, announced his resignation on Wednesday, stating that he could no longer serve an administration that had "put millions of innocent lives in danger." In an interview, he expressed his disappointment in the lack of empathy and recognition of his own humanity by the president, which led to his decision to resign. Habash, who has Palestinian Christian roots, emphasized that he believed the president cared about helping people, but felt let down by his actions.

In his resignation letter dated January 3, addressed to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Habash wrote, "It should go without saying that all violence against innocent people is horrific. I mourn each and every loss, Israeli and Palestinian. But I cannot represent an administration that does not value all human life equally." Habash had been serving as an adviser in the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, focusing on higher education policy matters such as student loans, college access, and affordability.

Habash's resignation comes after another top state department official resigned in October over the US's decision to send weapons and ammunition to Israel during the conflict. Additionally, several staff members have written anonymous open letters calling on the administration to support a cease-fire. The administration has been engaging in meetings with various groups to address the dissent over the war.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has had devastating consequences in Gaza, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting more than 20,000 Palestinians killed and half of the population at risk of starvation. President Biden has repeatedly asserted Israel's right to defend itself and has shown strong support for Israel, rejecting calls for a cease-fire at the United Nations and authorizing the sale of thousands of tank shells. However, he has also criticized Israel's indiscriminate bombing, stating that they are starting to lose support from Europe and much of the world.

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that voters generally disapprove of President Biden's handling of the war, with younger Americans being more critical of both Israel's conduct and the administration's response.

In addition to Habash's resignation, 17 Biden re-election campaign staffers issued an anonymous letter warning that Biden could lose voters over his handling of the conflict. The staffers urged Biden to call for a cease-fire in Gaza, stating that volunteers have quit in large numbers and long-time Democratic voters feel uncertain about supporting the party due to the conflict.

The US State Department has denied claims of genocide in Gaza, responding to South Africa's proceedings at the International Court of Justice over Israel's military operations. Israel has also denied these claims. The Biden campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on these developments.