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President Biden said Wednesday he was “deeply saddened” by the deadly hospital explosion in Gaza, but insisted that Israel was not to blame for the rocket attack, which left 500 dead.
During a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, the president suggested U.S. intelligence linked the attack, which happened Tuesday, to an Islamic jihad rocket.
“I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” he told Mr. Netanyahu. “But there’s a lot of people out there, not sure, so we’re going to overcome a lot of things.”
“The world is looking. Israel has a value set like the United States does and other democracies and they’re looking to see what we’re going to do,” Mr. Biden continued.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike caused the explosion and killed about 500 people at the hospital, which also served as a shelter from the ongoing Israeli bombardment. The Israeli military said it had no involvement in the explosion and the blast was likely caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.
Mr. Biden’s remarks back Israel’s claim that it wasn’t responsible for the attack, but also underscores how quickly the situation is evolving. In a statement on the attack Tuesday, Mr. Biden said his national security team would “continue gathering information about exactly what happened.”
On Wednesday, the president arrived in Israel, which is still reeling from the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas, a Muslim terrorist group that controls Gaza. The attack left 1,400 Israelis dead, including 31 Americans. Roughly 200 are believed to be held hostage by Hamas, including a small number of Americans
The trip was Mr. Biden’s strongest show of solidarity so far with Israel, which has declared war on Hamas.
“I want to say to the people of Israel: Their courage, their commitment, their bravery is stunning. Really stunning. I am proud to be here,” he said.
Mr. Biden started his visit by meeting with Mr. Netanyahu, followed by a broader meeting with Israel’s war Cabinet. Mr. 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. The White House did not say if the families were American or Israeli.
Speaking with reporters alongside Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Biden said the wartime visit was critical because the world needed to “know where the United States stands” and that “Americans are grieving with you.”
Mr. Netanyahu thanked Mr. Biden for coming to Israel and offering “unequivocal support.”
“We see that support and your steadfast commitment to provide Israel with the tools we need to defend ourselves. We see that support and the clear message you send our enemies not to test our resolve. And in the two American carrier battle groups that you send to the region. To back up those words with action,” he said.
Mr. Netanyahu went on to describe the atrocities Hamas fighters carried out against Israeli children during the attack. He said they “murdered children in front of their parents,” and “burned people alive.”
“Just imagine, Mr. President, the fear and panic of those little children in their last moments as the monsters discovered find out their hiding places. Hamas kidnapped women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors. I know you share outrage on this and I know you share our determination to bring these people back,” he continued.
Mr. Biden responded that what happened was beyond comprehension.
“They’ve committed evil atrocities that make ISIS look somewhat more rational,” he continued.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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