ABC: White House Appeared ‘Blindsided’ by Israeli Invasion of Gaza

ABC: White House Appeared ‘Blindsided’ by Israeli Invasion of Gaza (Washington Free Beacon)

White House reporter Jonathan Karl said the Obama administration appeared “blindsided” by the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza Thursday during a special edition of ABC World News.

President Obama came into the White House briefing room as recently as Wednesday and said he was working with other world leaders to get a ceasefire, Karl said.

“Just hours before the invasion, a spokesperson for the State Department expressed optimism that the ceasefire would take hold,” Karl said. “Now, of course, you have an escalation, not a ceasefire, although it’s important to say the White House has said over and over again that Israel does have a right to defend itself.”