President Biden’s visit to Israel, aimed at reaffirming the United States’ unwavering support for its ally and preventing the Israel-Hamas war from escalating into a broader regional conflict, was overshadowed by a tragic event. Just hours after his arrival, a devastating airstrike hit a Gaza Strip hospital, resulting in the loss of nearly 500 lives. The hospital bombing incident has sent shockwaves around the world and added to the grim toll of civilian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The attack on the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza triggered a dispute between the parties involved, with Hamas blaming Israel for the tragedy, while the Israeli Defense Forces claimed that a missile misfired from the Islamic Jihad militant group was responsible for the casualties. The immediate aftermath of the strike saw horrifying scenes as the hospital’s medical staff struggled to cope with the influx of wounded and dismembered patients.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden expressed his profound sadness and outrage over the hospital explosion and bombing. He made it clear that he believed Hamas did not represent all Palestinians and that their actions had brought suffering to the Palestinian people.
President Biden appeared to stand with Israel by stating, “Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you.” However, he acknowledged that there was some uncertainty regarding the cause of the blast, saying, “There are a lot of people out there who aren’t sure what caused the blast.”
Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting Israel, while Netanyahu emphasized his government and the Israeli Defense Forces’ determination to minimize civilian casualties. President Biden had initially planned to visit Jordan after his stop in Israel, but meetings with Arab leaders were canceled following the hospital explosion and bombing.
President Biden’s remarks reflected the horrors that both Israelis and Palestinians have endured during the conflict. He stressed the need to find ways to provide life-saving assistance to innocent Palestinians caught in the midst of the crisis.
While expressing his support for Israel, Biden also highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza. He stated that Hamas had “slaughtered” Israelis in an attack in October and described the harrowing experience of innocent Israelis, including children.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his gratitude for President Biden’s visit, describing it as “deeply, deeply moving.” He conveyed the appreciation of all Israelis and underscored the importance of the United States standing with Israel in the face of the ongoing conflict.
In response, Netanyahu drew a clear line between the “forces of civilization and the forces of barbarism.” He emphasized Israel’s commitment to defeating Hamas and called for unity in the civilized world against the militant group.
Meanwhile, Hamas accused the U.S. of being “complicit in the massacres” in Gaza and criticized the endorsement of the Israeli narrative by the U.S. administration.
As the conflict continues, Israel is preparing for a potential ground invasion of Gaza in response to Hamas’ attacks. The toll of civilian casualties in Gaza remains distressingly high, with approximately 2,800 Palestinians reported killed by Israeli strikes, and an estimated 1,200 people believed to be buried under the rubble. The recent hospital blast at Al-Ahli has added to the tragedy, and a clear cause for the explosion is yet to be established. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
