Biden: "Gaza Hospital Explosion Appears to Be Caused by the Other Side" (Comprehensive)

U.S. President Joe Biden said that the explosion at a hospital in the Gaza Strip, which caused hundreds of deaths, "appears to have been carried out by the other side (not the Israeli military)."

U.S. President Biden is holding talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press and others on the 18th (local time), President Biden made the remarks during opening comments released before a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv that morning. He said, "I felt deep sorrow and anger about the explosion that occurred yesterday at a hospital in the Gaza Strip." He added, "From what I have seen, it looks like it was done by the other side, not you," but also noted, "There are still many people who are not sure what caused the explosion."

Additionally, President Biden pointed out that the Palestinian armed faction Hamas "massacred civilians, including 31 Americans," and said, "They have committed atrocities and acts so heinous that even the Islamic State (IS) seems somewhat rational by comparison." He went on to say, "Hamas does not represent all Palestinians and only brings suffering," and "The United States will ensure that Israel has everything it needs for its defense."

President Joe Biden (right) of the United States and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The previous afternoon, a large explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. Hamas condemned it as a "horrific massacre" and a "clear war crime," claiming that at least 500 people died due to an Israeli airstrike. However, Israel has maintained that the explosion was caused by a misfired rocket from Islamic Jihad, continuing the dispute over responsibility.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.