0
0
On a solidarity visit to Israel on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden supported Israel’s account, stating that Palestinian militants were responsible for a devastating hospital strike in Gaza. He added that Hamas had brought “only suffering.”
“I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. Based on what I’ve seen, it appears that it was carried out by a different group, not by you,” Biden said as he began a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
“But there are many people out there who remain uncertain, so we need to address these uncertainties,” Biden continued.
Health authorities in Gaza, ruled by Hamas, reported that the explosion killed between 200 and 300 people and was the result of the most recent in a series of Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military attributed the incident to Palestinian militants, stating that an outgoing Islamic Jihad rocket had misfired and that they would provide evidence.
“We must keep in mind that Hamas does not represent all Palestinian people and has brought them nothing but suffering,” Biden emphasized.
He also encouraged Netanyahu to ensure “life-saving support for innocent Palestinians caught in the midst of this conflict.”
In the announcement of Biden’s visit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that Israel had agreed to collaborate with the United States on a plan to allow aid into Gaza. Gaza has been under siege and bombardment for 12 days and has been under an Israeli blockade for 16 years.
Israel had been threatening a ground invasion following the devastating assault by Hamas militants on October 7th.
Biden expressed his pride in visiting Israel and commended the courage, commitment, and bravery of the Israeli people, saying, “I want to say to the people of Israel that your courage, commitment, and bravery are truly remarkable.”
Netanyahu, who has faced domestic criticism following the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, eagerly invited Biden, despite previous public criticisms of certain actions by Israel’s hard-right government.
Netanyahu praised Biden, who had previously faced accusations from the rival Republican Party of not being sufficiently pro-Israel, for making “the first visit of an American president to Israel during a time of war.”
“There’s nothing better than having a true friend like you standing with Israel, except for having you physically present in Israel,” Netanyahu stated.
In the opening of the talks with Biden, Netanyahu called for global unity against Hamas.
“Just as the civilized world united to defeat the Nazis and later united to defeat ISIS, the civilized world must now unite to defeat Hamas,” Netanyahu emphasized.
“I can assure you, Mr. President, Israel is fully united in its determination to defeat Hamas and eliminate this grave threat.”
