Biden issued an order. The attack infuriated him
Joe Biden is on his way to Israel. The American president has instructed his advisors to learn the details of the explosion in the hospital in the Gaza Strip, which occurred on Tuesday night. Biden discussed this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and King Abdullah II of Jordan.
- President Biden is outraged and saddened by the death of innocent victims in the hospital explosion in Gaza and has ordered advisors to gather information on this matter - said John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, on his way to Israel on Tuesday.
During a briefing on board Air Force One en route to Tel Aviv, Kirby also informed that Biden had discussed this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and King Abdullah II of Jordan, as a result of which he decided not to postpone his visit to Israel.
He also assured that despite the wave of unrest in the West Bank, he is convinced that the president can safely make the journey.
Kirby also said that he understands the decision of the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to withdraw from the planned summit involving leaders from the USA, Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan in Amman, as well as Jordan's decision to cancel the meeting. Instead, Biden plans to speak over the phone with the President of Egypt, as-Sisi, and the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, on his return journey from Israel.
In a previously issued statement on the tragedy in Gaza, the president said that he is "outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at Al Ahli Hospital" and ordered his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and his team to gather more information about the event.
Does Biden believe in Israel's assurances?
When asked by journalists whether the president believes in Israel's assurances that its attack was not the cause of a large number of civilian deaths, Kirby did not directly respond.
- I think we certainly recognize that they feel very strongly that this was not caused by them - the spokesperson replied.
- The President wants to hear from the Israelis their view on the situation on the ground and more importantly, their goals, their plans, and their intentions in the coming days and weeks. And he will ask them tough questions. He will ask them as a true friend of Israel, but he will ask them questions - emphasized Kirby.
Israel is attacking the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas attack. On October 7, fighters of this Palestinian organization infiltrated into this country and killed approximately 1400 people, and more than 100 were kidnapped as hostages. Rockets are still being launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.
