U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked controversy after stating in a video interview that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza does not amount to genocide.

“If Israel wanted to commit genocide, they could’ve flattened Gaza in three hours, but they haven’t,” Huckabee said, pointing to Israel’s demonstrated military power in recent operations against Iran.

The ambassador’s comments come amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where months of fighting have left significant civilian casualties and widespread infrastructure damage. Human rights groups and global leaders have accused Israel of disproportionate use of force, while Israel maintains its operations target Hamas militants and their infrastructure.

Huckabee’s defense aligns with Washington’s continued support for Israel, though his framing has already drawn backlash from critics who argue the remark downplays the humanitarian toll of the conflict.

The statement underscores the growing tension between U.S. diplomatic backing for Israel and rising global calls for accountability in Gaza.