Visiting US President Joe Biden on Wednesday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the deadly bombing of a hospital in Gaza City "appears" that it was "done by the other team".
Biden, who arrived in Tel Aviv earlier in the day marking an extraordinary wartime visit for the first time since the Hamas launched its surprise assault on October 7, also said that he was "deeply saddened and outraged" by the bombing of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, the BBC reported.
"Based on what I've seen it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you. But there's a lot of people out there who are not sure, so we've got to overcome a lot of things," the President was quoted as saying.
While Palestinian officials have blamed Israel for the incident, Israelis has denied responsibility and said it was due to a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Biden also said that it is "not hyperbole" to say the Hamas "slaughtered" 1,300 people, including 31 Americans.
The president said the Palestinian militant group has “committed evils, that, atrocities that make IS (Islamic State) look somewhat more rational”.
But he acknowledged that while Israel has the right to defend itself, “we have to also bear in mind that a Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people, and has brought them only suffering”.
Regarding the hostages taken by the Hamas, the President said: "Imagine what those children hiding from Hamas were thinking? It's beyond my comprehension."
He told Netanyahu that the US will continue to support Israel, adding that "I'm looking forward to having a discussion about what happens from here", the BBC reported.
“I wanted to be here today for the simple reason I want the people of Israel, people of the world to know the United States stands.I wanted to personally come and make that clear," Biden said.
He says the "courage, commitment and bravery" of the Israeli people is "stunning". "I'm proud to be here".
On his part, Netanyahu said the "civilised world must unite to defeat Hamas" in the same way it did when taking down the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group
"We will defeat Hamas and remove this terrible threat from our lives," he said.
Calling Biden a "true friend", the Prime Minister lauded the President's "deeply moving" visit amid the raging conflict, the BBC reported.
"I know I speak for the people of Israel when I say thank you... You've rightly drawn a clear line between the forces of civilisation and the forces of barbarism."
During his day-long visit, Biden is also scheduled to meet with Israeli first responders as well as "the families of victims and people still missing or taken hostage", according to the White House.
He will also deliver remarks and meet Israeli President Herzog before his departure.
On his flight home, Biden plans to speak with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President El-Sisi, in lieu of the scheduled summit in Jordan, which was scrapped after the hospital blast.
PM Modi emplanes for Thailand; to attend BIMSTEC summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emplaned for Thailand on a state visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to bolster bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok.
Tripura CM stresses promoting NE states' potential to attract investment
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the development of the communication process and system has generated a lot of investment potential, and therefore, more emphasis should be placed on promotion to attract investors in all the northeastern states.
Tripura has 94,723 Lakhpati Didis; 93,425 women to get similar status soon: Minister
Among the 4,75,582 Self Help Group (SHGs) members in Tripura, 94,723 women emerged as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through their engagement in various enterprising units and 93,425 more women would be ‘Lakhpati Didis’ soon, Social Welfare and Labour Minister Tinku Roy said.
Bhavan’s Little Learners celebrate annual programme
The Bhavan’s Little Learners, Bordowali celebrated annual programme and organised prize distribution ceremony here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Wednesday.
Govt working to boost agricultural production to make Tripura self-reliant: Minister Ratan Lal Nath
The Tripura government is contemplating to make Tripura self-reliant in agricultural production, said agriculture minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday.
Scholarship Fraud: Tribal Welfare Dept issues show cause to 34 students
In a major crackdown on scholarship fraud, the Tripura Tribal Welfare Department has issued show cause notices to 34 students for allegedly submitting fake income certificates to avail the Scheduled Tribe (ST) Post-Matric Scholarship for the academic year 2023-24.
Fall of Congress in Gujarat: Three decades of decline and struggle for relevance
The Congress party was once the dominant political force in Gujarat, shaping the state’s governance since independence. However, over the past 30 years, the party has witnessed a dramatic downfall, losing ground to the BJP’s aggressive electoral strategies, organisational strength, and ideological appeal.
‘Disempowering Muslims’: J&K political parties oppose Waqf (Amendment) Bill
All political parties of J&K, except the BJP, opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that the Bill is intended to disempower Muslims and only target one religion.