US President Joe Biden Praises Israel’s Bravery And Blames Militants For Hospital Massacre
By Worthy News’ George Whitten and Stefan J. Bos
JERUSALEM/TEL AVIV (Worthy News) – As rocket sirens wailed in some areas Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden landed in Israel, where he praised Israeli “bravery” and assured the Jewish nation that the United States supported its battle against the enemy.
“I want to say to the people of Israel that their courage, commitment, bravery is stunning. I am proud to be here,” Biden said during joint statements in Tel Aviv with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Hamas committed evils and atrocities that make [the Islamic State group, also known as] ISIS look somewhat more rational,” he added, noting that some 31 Americans were killed in the Hamas attacks.
Biden also said that a deadly blast at the Anglican church-run al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza appeared to have been caused by Palestinian militants, backing Israel’s account of the incident.
Israel’s military blamed the tragedy that possibly killed hundreds on “a misfired” Palestinian rocket. However, Palestinian officials said an Israeli air strike hit the hospital, while the Palestinian militant group Hamas called the alleged killing of some 500 people “a horrific massacre” caused by an Israeli strike.
Yet a Worthy News investigation into video footage emerging around that time seems to back up Israel’s assessment.
Footage reviewed by Worthy News reporters included a recording of Qatar-based Al Jazeera network’s live broadcast from Tuesday local time, which appeared to show the reported failed rocket launch against Israel by militants in Gaza. The video showed the Gaza Strip in the background. Viewers were advised to note the timestamp on the right: 18:59.
UNSUCCESSFUL LAUNCH
In the backdrop, viewers could witness an unsuccessful missile launch that landed inside the Gaza Strip, precisely when an incoming rocket alert warning was triggered throughout Israel.
The news ticker at the bottom of the screen reported the elimination of Ayman Nofal, a senior Hamas commander, by an Israeli air strike, confirming that the image was of Tuesday, October 17. It revealed the exact time when the hospital was hit.
The revelations did little to ease tensions, with violent anti-Israel protests in several areas, including Ankara, Turkey, Amman, Jordan, and Hebron in the West Bank. Amid the controversies, the Archbishop of Canterbury renewed calls for protecting civilians in Gaza.
He said that besides patients, the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City sheltered civilians who had left their homes to avoid air strikes.
“This is an appalling and devastating loss of innocent lives,” added Archbishop Justin Welby.
“The Ahli hospital is run by the Anglican church. I mourn with our brothers and sisters – please pray for them. I renew my appeal for civilians to be protected in this devastating war. May the Lord God have mercy.”
The tragedy came as the U.S. pressured Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it prepared for a possible massive ground offensive in Gaza.
TARGETING HAMAS
However, Israel’s prime minister pledged to President Biden that the army is targeting only Hamas militants who killed 1,400 people and kidnapped hundreds in Israel since October 7.
Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will do everything to prevent harm to civilians during its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, a crowded Palestinian enclave of some 2.3 million people.
“As we proceed during this war, Israel will do everything it can to keep civilians out of harm’s way. We have asked them and will continue to ask them to move to safer areas,” he told U.S.
President Biden and reporters in Tel Aviv.
“We will continue to work with you to ensure that the minimal requirements are met,” Netanyahu promised.
Biden told the Israeli leader that the U.S. would “continue to have your back as you work to defend your people” following the biggest atrocity against Jews since the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah
Despite U.S. support, Netanyahu suggested that Israel faces an uphill battle to victory. “The road to victory will be long and hard, but united in purpose and with a deep sense of justice and the unbreakable spirit of soldiers and people, Israel will prevail.”
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