President Biden said the United States stands with Israel on Wednesday during his visit to Tel Aviv, but warned the Jewish state’s leaders not to let “anger” fuel looming military operations in Hamas-ruled Gaza, citing “mistakes.” ” Americans after 9/11.
Biden also announced $100 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and plans to ask Congress for an “unprecedented” military aid package for Israel.
The 80-year-old president met with survivors of the October 7 massacre in southern Israel, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of his war cabinet and Israeli President Issac Herzog, but did not mention the alleged Iran’s role in planning the massacre. assault that killed more than 1,400 people, including 30 Americans.
“I’m very proud of you,” Biden said as he hugged Inbal Lieberman, 25, who has been hailed as a hero for successfully organizing the defense of the kibbutz where she was security director.
Biden also met with grandmother Rachel Edri, who was held hostage in her home for 20 hours by Hamas terrorists until she was rescued.
The president visited Israel in a show of support, saying in Tel Aviv that the country “must once again be a safe place for the Jewish people.
“And I promise you that we will do everything in our power to make sure that happens,” Biden said, after blaming the “other team” for Tuesday’s hospital explosion in Gaza that forced the cancellation of planned meetings with Arab leaders. in Jordan. .
“For decades, we have ensured Israel’s qualitative military advantage. “Later this week, I will ask the United States Congress for an unprecedented support package for the defense of Israel,” the president added.
Biden told reporters that he had insisted that Israel deliver humanitarian aid to Gazans as food and supplies ran out, warning Israel not to make “mistakes” like those the United States made during its foreign wars after of September 11.
President Biden said the United States will provide Palestine with $100 million in aid while also promising to give the Israeli military an “unprecedented” aid package. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Biden hugs an Israeli woman during a meeting with first responders and people directly affected by the Hamas Attack.REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
“You cannot look at what has happened here to your mothers, your fathers, your grandparents, your sons, your daughters, your sons, even your babies, and not scream for justice. Justice must be done,” Biden said.
“But I warn you this: while you feel that anger, do not let yourself be consumed by it. After 9/11, we were furious in America. “While we sought justice and got it, we also made mistakes.”
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest on Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Biden then announced “$100 million in new US funding for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. “This money will support more than 1 million Palestinians displaced and affected by the conflict, including emergency needs in Gaza.”
The president did not specify how the aid would be administered, and the White House did not immediately provide additional details other than to say, “The United States provides humanitarian assistance through trusted partners, including U.N. agencies and international NGOs.”
In a tweet, Biden wrote: “We will have mechanisms to ensure that this aid reaches those who need it, not Hamas or terrorist groups.”
Republican critics criticized the announcement and warned that the aid would end up in the hands of jihadists.
The site of an Israeli airstrike on homes in the Gaza Strip on October 18, 2023.REUTERS/Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa
“Just a few days ago, Hamas stole humanitarian aid, including fuel and medical supplies, from the UN,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). “We should not send American taxpayer dollars to support the terrorists who are currently holding Americans hostage, and we should never place conditions on our support for Israel.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, tweeted: “No US tax dollars to the Gaza Strip. Hamas has American hostages and Biden wants to finance them? “I challenge all Republican candidates to come forward and oppose Biden’s $100 million donation to Hamas.”
“Biden just announced that he will donate $100 million to the ‘Gaza Strip’, also known as Hamas,” tweeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). “The same amount of money that Iran gives to Hamas every year. “Now there is no difference between Joe Biden and the Ayatollah of Iran.”
It’s unclear if Republicans have any path to blocking the spending or if it has already been allocated by the State Department.
The Palestinian government is divided in two: Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007, after winning the 2006 legislative elections.
Biden warned Israel not to make “mistakes” like those the United States made after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The Fatah faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization nominally controls areas of the West Bank that are not directly administered by Israel.
Fatah is led by President Mahmoud Abbas, who is in the 18th year of a four-year term that was supposed to end in 2009.
The worst attack on Israel in 50 years: how we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip more than three decades after seizing the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: The terrorist group Hamas wins the Palestinian legislative elections.
2007: Hamas takes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launches a military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fire rockets at the city of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches largest attack on Israel in 50 years.
More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, more than 4,200 wounded and at least 100 taken hostage, with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli cities. .
Hamas terrorists were seen taking women hostage and parading them down the street in gruesome videos.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “We are at war” and promised that Hamas would pay “a price it has never known.”
Gaza health officials report that at least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured.
“I come to Israel with a single message: you are not alone. You are not alone. As long as America remains, and we will always remain, we will not let you be alone,” Biden said during his remarks.
“We are working with partners across the region, seeking all avenues to bring home those held captive by Hamas. “I cannot speak publicly about all the details, but let me assure you: for me, as American president, there is no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages.”
A Palestinian man carries an injured child after an explosion in Gaza City on October 18, 2023.Palestinian Media Group/Handout via REUTERS People gather next to the bodies of victims who died in the explosion at Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza.Photo by MAHMUD HAMS/ AFP via Getty Images
Hamas has threatened to kill hostages on camera in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
“The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” Biden said.
“We mourn the loss of innocent Palestinian lives like the entire world. I was outraged and saddened by the enormous loss of life yesterday in a Gaza hospital. “Based on the information we have seen today, it appears to be the result of an errant missile launched by a terrorist group in Gaza.”
Posters in Tel Aviv of missing Israelis or Hamas captives in Gaza. AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris
Biden said he had persuaded both Egypt and Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which has about two million residents.
“The people of Gaza need food, water, medicine and shelter,” he warned.
“Today I asked the Israeli cabinet with whom I met for some time this morning to agree to the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, based on the understanding that there will be inspections and that the aid should go to civilians. not to Hamas. “Israel agreed that humanitarian assistance can begin moving from Egypt to Gaza.”
But Biden warned: “Let me be clear: If Hamas diverts or steals assistance, it will have demonstrated once again that it has no regard for the well-being of the Palestinian people and this will end.”
Biden spoke by phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi from Air Force One after leaving Israel and later told reporters that Sisi agreed to reopen his country’s Rafah border crossing with Gaza to allow in supplies.
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“He agreed that what he would do is open the gate to… let up to 20 trucks through to start,” Biden said.
“They are going to patch the roads; They will have to fill the potholes for the trucks to pass. And that is going to happen; They expect it to take about eight hours tomorrow. So there may not be anything going on… probably until Friday.”
A few minutes later, the White House announced that Biden would give a prime-time speech Thursday night to discuss the US response to the Hamas attack, as well as the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn