US President Joe Biden reiterated his support for Israel during a visit to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, claiming that a “terrorist group in Gaza” was most likely responsible for the deadly blast at a Christian-run hospital in Gaza City that killed hundreds.
In addition, Biden announced that the US will provide $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The funding will help provide clean water, food, hygiene support, medical care, and other necessities to over a million displaced and conflict-affected people.
I came to Israel with a single message: You are not alone. pic.twitter.com/BydtLPxBkv
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 18, 2023
Biden’s Remarks
In his formal remarks, Biden stated, “I was outraged and saddened by the enormous loss of life yesterday in the hospital in Gaza.”
“Based on the information we’ve seen to date, it appears as a result of an errant rocket fired by a terrorist group in Gaza. The United States unequivocally stands for the protection of civilian life during conflict,” Biden asserted.
Biden reaffirms support for Israel, “I come to Israel with a single message: You are not alone. You are not alone. As long as the United States stands — and we will stand forever — we will not let you ever be alone.”
Concerning the hostage situation, Biden promised that the US has been working with allies around the region to pursue every possible option to bring back those taken hostage by Hamas.
“I can’t speak publicly about all the details, but let me assure you: For me as the American president, there is no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages,” Biden assured.
I'm proud to be in Israel to honor the courage, commitment, and bravery of the Israeli people.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 18, 2023
Americans are grieving with you following last week’s terror attacks.
“The State of Israel was born to be a safe place for the Jewish people of the world. That’s why it was born. I have long said: If Israel didn’t exist, we would have to invent it,” the US president stated.
Furthermore, Biden reassured citizens, “while it may not feel that way today, Israel must again be a safe place for the Jewish people. And I promise you: We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that it will be.”
He stressed that the Palestinian people are also “suffering greatly,” and that he mourns the death of “innocent Palestinian lives, like the entire world.”
Biden claimed, “The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.”
“Hamas uses innocent families in Gaza as human shields, putting their command centres or weapons or communications tunnels in residential areas,” he added.
Biden Assures Humanitarian Aid to Civilians in Gaza
Biden declared that Israel agreed that humanitarian supplies could begin to move from Egypt to Gaza, there would be inspections, and aid should go to civilians rather than Hamas.
The American leader stated, “We’re working in close cooperation with the government of Egypt; the United Nations and its agencies, like the World Food Program; and other partners in the region to get trucks moving across the border as soon as possible.”
Additionally, Biden warned, “Let me be clear: If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people and it will end.”
US Intel Shows Israel Not Responsible for Hospital Blast
According to a National Security Council (NSC) official, the current US assessment of Tuesday’s horrific explosion at a hospital in Gaza is that Israel was “not responsible.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 18, 2023
"Yesterday evening, before @POTUS Biden left for Israel, I presented him with concrete proof that it was Islamic Jihad, and not the IDF, that had fired the missile that struck the hospital in Gaza. https://t.co/TCkEqqrr8u pic.twitter.com/VRFxTcs3Jx
NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson stated, “While we continue to collect information, our current assessment, based on analysis of overhead imagery, intercepts and open-source information, is that Israel is not responsible for the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday.”
That statement came after Biden arrived in Israel, when he said, “Based on what I’ve seen, it appears that it was done by the other team, not you. But there’s a lot of people out there, not sure,” Biden remarked.
Following briefings on the incident, the leaders of the Senate and House intelligence committees — both Republican and Democratic — issued comments expressing their confidence that the explosion resulted from a failed rocket launch within Gaza, rather than an act of Israeli military action.