In a press conference alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s defense. However, he also expressed concerns about the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Biden called for an immediate end to attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank, characterizing these actions as “pouring gasoline on fire.” He criticized the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank by extremist settlers, emphasizing the need for an immediate cessation of such attacks.
Biden accused Hamas of using Palestinian civilians as human shields in Gaza while emphasizing that Israel must adhere to the “laws of war.” The president acknowledged that there had been casualties on both sides, but he cast doubt on the Palestinian casualty figures, asserting that he had “no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with Israel preparing for a potential ground invasion of Gaza. Tens of thousands of troops are stationed at the Gaza border, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was “raining down hellfire” as part of its military operations. Despite reports that the U.S. had encouraged Israel to refrain from a ground invasion while Hamas holds hostages, Biden denied making such a demand, indicating that it was ultimately Israel’s decision.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for Hamas to provide proof of life for the hostages it is holding and to release them on health grounds, citing the urgent need for care and treatment of the hostages. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRAW) also warned that its relief efforts in Gaza could come to a halt if fuel supplies are not delivered, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Efforts to secure plans for delivering critical humanitarian aid to Gaza at the United Nations faced challenges, with a U.S. resolution for “humanitarian pauses” vetoed by Russia and China. Russia’s own proposal for an “immediate, durable, and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire” was voted down by the U.S. and UK, with other countries abstaining. As a result, the broader UN General Assembly is scheduled to debate the conflict in the coming days.
Biden concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for a vision of peace in the region once the Gaza crisis is resolved. He advocated for a two-state solution and called for a concentrated effort from all parties, including Israelis, Palestinians, regional partners, and global leaders, to work towards a path of peace and coexistence.
Contributions by Reuters and the Associated Press.
