(UnitedVoice.com) – President Joe Biden has reaffirmed the US’ commitment to Israel in the wake of the terrorist attack by Hamas militants on October 7 that started a war. The commander-in-chief traveled to the Middle Eastern nation recently. Right before he left to go on the trip, a rocket hit a hospital in Gaza and killed hundreds of people. Biden placed the blame on the shoulders of Islamic extremists.
Hospital Attack
On October 17, a blast rocked the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. According to reports, many Gazans had been taking shelter in hospitals since the war began. Dr. Fadel Na’eem told the press that he was in the operating room when he heard an explosion. He said he thought the blast came from outside because he “never thought that they would bomb the hospital.”
The doctor’s worst fears were confirmed when he walked out of the operating room. He said he saw many people dead from the blast. Approximately 500 people, including children, died. Immediately, all sides began pointing fingers.
Palestinians believe Israel launched the attack on the civilian target. Meanwhile, Israel has said the rocket came from within Gaza, and its military had nothing to do with it.
Biden Speaks Out
Biden traveled to Israel the day after the hospital bombing. He was briefed by American intelligence agencies on the blast and they concluded it was a failed rocket launch carried out by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a terrorist group aligned with Hamas.
During a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said it appeared the hospital attack “was done by the other team,” not Israel.
Though the president remained firmly on Netanyahu’s side, he issued a gentle warning to the leader. He compared the attack on Israel that started the war to the September 11, 2001, attack on the US. Biden said Americans understand how it feels after such an act of violence. He said, “But I caution this: While you feel that rage, don’t be consumed by it.” He explained that the US made mistakes after the terrorist attack that killed almost 3,000 because the country was so consumed by rage.
Netanyahu Speaks Out
The day after Biden’s visit, Netanyahu spoke about the attack on Israel that started the war. He said that he believes Hamas massacred 1,400 Israelis because Israel was on the cusp of expanding peace within the region. The prime minister had been in talks with Saudi Arabia to normalize relations.
Netanyahu explained that he thinks the purpose of the attack was to destroy any chance of making the Middle East more peaceful. Now, he’s prepared to fight a long war.
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