Biden Expresses Willingness to Provide Aid to Gaza Strip... "Hopes for Ceasefire Negotiation Agreement"

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on the 1st (local time) that he will provide aid supplies via air in response to the tragedy involving civilians crowded around relief trucks in the Gaza Strip.

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In his opening remarks ahead of a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Biden said, "Innocent citizens are unable to even feed their families due to this horrific war," adding, "You have all seen what happened when they tried to seek help."

The previous day in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military fired upon civilians crowded around relief trucks, resulting in at least 115 casualties. Israel denies the shooting and has issued explanations, but international public opinion remains cold.

President Biden stated, "The United States will do more," and said, "Soon, we will join other countries, including Jordan, in delivering aid supplies to Ukraine by air."

He emphasized, "Support for Gaza is woefully insufficient," and "The lives of innocent people and children are in jeopardy."

The White House press pool explained that President Biden intended to refer to 'Gaza' but mistakenly said 'Ukraine,' and that the issue was later corrected during the process.

President Biden also said that various measures, including large-scale delivery of relief supplies by ship, will be considered to expand humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, adding, "We need to have hundreds of trucks moving in and out of Gaza. We will take every possible action."

He asserted, "We will push Israel to allow more trucks and open more routes," and declared, "There is no excuse. Support for Gaza is woefully insufficient."

As he left the White House that day, President Biden reiterated to reporters his hope for a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

According to AFP, when asked whether he expects a ceasefire agreement in Gaza to be reached by Ramadan (the Islamic fasting month) starting around the 10th of next month, he said, "I hope so. We are still working very hard, but we have more ground to cover before reaching the destination (ceasefire agreement)."

He added, "We will get there, but not yet. We might not get there," refraining from making specific comments on the progress or issues of the negotiations.

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