Washington, DC – United States President Joe Biden has pledged unwavering help for Israel as its army pummels Gaza with bombardment, within the wake of an unprecedented attack from the Palestinian group Hamas over the weekend.
In a White Home speech on Tuesday, Biden mentioned that Washington will present extra army help to Israel, which has since declared struggle on Hamas.
He additionally underscored the brutality of Saturday’s assault — which killed tons of of individuals and noticed others taken captive — and in contrast Hamas to ISIL (ISIS), accusing it of “terrorism”.
“That is what they imply by human tragedy, an atrocity on an appalling scale,” Biden mentioned. “We’re going to proceed to face united, supporting the individuals of Israel who’re struggling unspeakable losses and opposing the hatred and violence of terrorism.”
The US president, nevertheless, didn’t present particulars concerning the Israeli struggle in Gaza or its goals — solely backing what he referred to as Israel’s “obligation to answer these vicious assaults”.
Right here, Al Jazeera appears at 5 key takeaways from Biden’s tackle:
Biden pledges extra army assist to Israel
Biden pledged extra army help for Israel, which already receives $3.8bn in US army assist.
“We’re surging extra army help, together with ammunition and interceptors to replenish the Iron Dome,” he mentioned referring to Israel’s anti-missile system.
“We’re going to ensure that Israel doesn’t run out of those crucial belongings to defend its cities and its residents.”
.@VP and I sat down with our groups to obtain a scenario replace on the terrorist assault in Israel and to direct subsequent steps.
We linked with Prime Minister Netanyahu to debate coordination to help Israel, deter hostile actors, and shield harmless individuals. pic.twitter.com/u4xOHMeMqw
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 10, 2023
The US president referred to as on Congress to take “pressing motion to fund the nationwide safety necessities of our crucial companions”, doubtless referring to each Israel and Ukraine, the latter of which is warding off a full-scale invasion from Russia.
“This isn’t about get together or politics. It’s concerning the safety of our world, the safety of the US of America,” he mentioned.
Biden added that his administration is in “close to fixed communication” with Israeli companions.
In response to the White Home, Biden has been intently following the scenario with every day briefings from his safety staff. Earlier on Tuesday, he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the third time in as many days.
Individuals amongst Hamas captives
Biden confirmed that Individuals are among the many captives held by Hamas with out specifying the quantity. He additionally mentioned that 14 US residents have been killed within the assault.
“I’m directing my staff to share intelligence and deploy extra specialists from throughout the US authorities to seek the advice of with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage restoration efforts as a result of as president, I’ve no greater precedence than the protection of Individuals being held hostage around the globe,” he mentioned.
No point out of Palestinian civilians or broader battle
With the death toll mounting in Gaza as Israeli jets relentlessly bomb the densely populated territory, Biden didn’t point out Palestinian casualties.
As an alternative, he centered on Israeli victims of Hamas’s assault.
The one time Biden talked about Palestinians was to slam Hamas. “Hamas doesn’t stand for the Palestinian individuals’s proper to dignity and self-determination,” he mentioned. “Its acknowledged goal is the annihilation of the state of Israel and the homicide of Jewish individuals.”
Hamas’s 2017 constitution counters Biden’s declare, rejecting the “persecution of any human being or the undermining of his or her rights on nationalist, non secular or sectarian grounds”.
Biden additionally didn’t tackle the basis causes of the battle.
Hamas leaders have mentioned they launched the assault in response to Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, near-daily violence in opposition to Palestinians within the West Financial institution and the practically 20-year blockade on Gaza.
Main rights teams have accused Israel of imposing a system of apartheid on Palestinians.
US warns in opposition to ‘taking benefit’ of struggle
Biden, apparently addressing Iran and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, warned different events within the area in opposition to “taking benefit” of the struggle in Gaza.
“To any nation, any organisation, anybody considering of making the most of the scenario, I’ve one phrase: Don’t. Our hearts could also be damaged however our resolve is evident,” he mentioned.
The US president mentioned Washington has “enhanced its army power posture” within the area to “strengthen deterrence”.
The Pentagon had introduced plans to ship extra military ships and aircraft to the Jap Mediterranean after the Hamas assault.
“We stand prepared to maneuver in extra belongings as wanted,” Biden mentioned on Tuesday.
The US has not participated immediately within the assaults on Gaza, and a White Home spokesperson mentioned on Monday that Washington has “no intention to place US boots on the bottom”.
Unqualified political help for Israeli response
Biden supplied unqualified political help to Israel’s army response regardless of fears for the greater than 2.2 million individuals who stay in Gaza.
Israeli leaders have already declared a “full siege” on the Palestinian enclave, pledging to forestall meals and different important provides from getting into the territory, elevating considerations from rights advocates and the United Nations.
“Like each nation on the planet, Israel has the precise to reply, certainly has an obligation to answer these vicious assaults,” Biden mentioned on Tuesday.
“Let there be little question: The US has Israel’s again. We’ll be certain the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself — right now, tomorrow, as we all the time have. It’s so simple as that,” he added.
Biden mentioned he informed Netanyahu that, if the US had skilled an analogous assault, its response could be “swift, decisive and overwhelming”.
“We additionally mentioned how democracies like Israel and the US are stronger and safer after we act in line with the rule of legislation,” Biden mentioned.