President Joe Biden‘s visit to Israel faced him with a pivotal question: who was responsible for the devastating explosion at a Gaza hospital?
In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden cautiously expressed his belief that “the other team” was to blame. When pressed by a reporter about his confidence in Israel’s innocence, Biden referred to data provided by the Defense Department. The President’s commitment to Israel’s security remained unwavering as he condemned the Gaza hospital blast and sought to determine the truth behind the incident.
US President Joe Biden (L) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023
Expressing deep sadness and outrage, Biden addressed the Gaza hospital explosion during his meeting with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. He stated, “Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though the other team, not you, did it. But many people are unsure about the truth, so we have a lot to overcome.” The Gaza hospital blast on Tuesday resulted in numerous casualties and prompted immediate condemnations of Israel from the Arab world.
Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital explosion in Gaza City on Wednesday, October 17, 2023.
Accusing the Israeli government of brutal retaliation, these nations, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, denounced Israel for the attack. Demonstrations erupted in the streets across the Arab world and in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Prior to Biden’s arrival, Jordan even canceled a scheduled meeting with leaders of Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt, thereby limiting the scope of his diplomatic mission.
However, as time passed, the responsibility for the Gaza hospital explosion became less clear. Israel pointed to video evidence from Al Jazeera, which purportedly showed a “failed rocket launch” by Islamic Jihad terrorists with reference to Gaza hospital explosion.
Surveillance video appears to show failed rocket launch causing Gaza hospital blast. A blast near the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, October 17, 2023. (Via social media, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Gaza had been anticipating an Israeli counterattack, as Israel remained determined to eradicate Hamas. Yet, it would be highly risky for Israel to deliberately target a civilian facility just as Biden, a staunch supporter of Israel, embarked on his diplomatic mission to the region.
Surveillance camera footage from Netiv Haasara shows a large barrage of rockets being launched from northern Gaza, followed by a massive blast in the Strip, apparently caused by a failed projectile. pic.twitter.com/PdNCbks02r
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 17, 2023
Biden now faces a critical and high-stakes test of his diplomatic skills as he strives to prevent the crisis from escalating further and spreading throughout the region. The National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, emphasized that Biden would pose tough questions to Israel regarding their intentions in the coming weeks. While humanitarian assistance would be a focal point of the discussions, Kirby refrained from disclosing any potential announcements concerning aid. Regarding the Gaza hospital explosion, Kirby revealed that Biden had directed his national security staff to gather as much information as possible to understand the incident’s circumstances.
On US President Joe Biden’s flight to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, National Security spokesperson John Kirby said Biden would be asking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “some tough questions.”#Netanyahu | #Bidenhttps://t.co/gcApguDWaF
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) October 18, 2023
Netanyahu, who has had a strained relationship with Biden due to his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal during Biden’s vice presidency, expressed gratitude to the American President for his visit. Netanyahu emphasized the significance of Biden’s journey, noting that it was the inaugural visit by a U.S. president to Israel amid the conflict. He acknowledged the unique challenge posed by Hamas, emphasizing their desire to cause harm to as many Israelis as possible. Netanyahu assured Biden that Israel would do everything to protect civilians but acknowledged that the path to victory would be arduous.
Biden condemned the brutal and almost unbelievable nature of the Hamas attack, assuring Netanyahu that Israel was not alone in its struggle. He affirmed, “We will continue to have Israel’s back as you work to defend your people.” Biden pledged to collaborate with Israel and regional partners to prevent further tragedy, underscoring his commitment to de-escalating the situation.
