Biden says Israel has a ‘responsibility’ to defend itself, but urges restraint

President Biden on Wednesday reiterated firm U.S. support for Israel in its war with the terrorist organization Hamas, but also warned the Jewish state to operate within the rules of war to avoid civilian casualties in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

“Israel has a right and I would add, responsibility to defend itself,” Mr. Biden said in remarks from the White House alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Mr. Biden vowed that the U.S. will provide Israel with what it needs to defend itself against Hamas and other threats in the Middle East.

However, the president urged Israel to operate within the rules of war and take steps to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, in which a humanitarian crisis grows worse each day.

“Hamas is hiding behind the Palestinian civilians and it is despicable, and not surprisingly, cowardly,” Mr. Biden said. “This also puts an added burden on Israel while they go after Hamas.”

Mr. Biden said there needs to be a two-state solution that would create a Palestinian state, but such a compromise would not be possible in the wake of the terror attacks.

“When this crisis is over, there has to be a vision of what comes next. And in our view, it has to be a two-state solution,” he said, adding that he spoke to Arab leaders in the region about integrating Israelis into the broader Middle East while assisting Palestinian statehood efforts.

Mr. Alabanese announced that Australia will commit $15 million in humanitarian assistance to Gaza to provide emergency water and medical services. He echoed his U.S. counterpart’s remarks on Israel.

“Australia unequivocally condemns the terrorism of Hamas,” he said. “We grieve for every loss of life, whether it be Israel or Palestinian. In times of crisis, respecting international law is paramount and I commend the president for his leadership that he has shown in the example that he has set.”