President Joe Biden cautiously entered the sensitive discussion regarding the tragic explosion at a Gaza hospital. He engaged in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating that responsibility likely lay with a different party. When questioned by a journalist about his confidence in Israel's lack of involvement, Biden referred to information provided by the Defense Department.
"I am deeply saddened and troubled by the recent hospital explosion in Gaza. Based on the information available to me, it seems that the responsibility lies with the other side, not with your nation. However, there is still some uncertainty, and we must address various aspects of this situation," Biden expressed at the outset of his meeting with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
This explosion, occurring on a Tuesday, resulted in a significant loss of life and promptly garnered condemnation from the Arab world. Israel faced allegations of responding harshly to a substantial attack initiated by Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, earlier in the same month. Israel swiftly disclaimed any involvement, emphasizing the limited structural damage to the hospital as evidence countering the possibility of an airstrike.
Nations such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates issued statements censuring Israel for the incident. Concurrently, protests erupted in various parts of the Arab world, including in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Just hours before Biden's journey to the region, Jordan canceled a scheduled meeting between the American president and leaders from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt, curtailing the scope of Biden's diplomatic mission even before his arrival.
Over time, the identity of the party responsible for the explosion became increasingly uncertain. Israel referred to video footage from Al Jazeera, suggesting it displayed a "failed rocket launch" by Islamic Jihad militants.
Israel had been preparing for a potential counterattack in Gaza, driven by its determination to eradicate Hamas. Nevertheless, the idea of Israel intentionally targeting a civilian facility just as Biden, who had consistently reaffirmed unwavering support for Israel, was en route to the region for negotiations, appeared highly precarious.
Biden faced a monumental and high-stakes challenge, testing his diplomatic skills as he sought to prevent the escalation and spread of the crisis throughout the region.
John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, informed journalists aboard Air Force One that Biden was prepared to pose "challenging questions" to the Israeli government regarding their intentions in the weeks ahead. Kirby emphasized that humanitarian aid would be a central focus in these discussions but refrained from disclosing potential announcements about such assistance.
Regarding the hospital explosion, Kirby clarified that Biden had directed his national security team to gather as much information and context as possible to attain a more comprehensive understanding of the incident.
Netanyahu, whose relationship with Biden had previously been somewhat distant due to his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal managed by Biden during his vice presidency, expressed his appreciation to the U.S. president for his visit. He acknowledged the historic significance of this being the first time a U.S. president had visited Israel during a period of conflict.
"This is an atypical war because Hamas represents an unconventional adversary," Netanyahu elucidated, explaining that Hamas aimed to harm as many Israelis as possible. He pledged that Israel would make every effort to protect civilian lives but recognized that the path to victory would be arduous.
Biden denounced the Hamas attack as "barbaric" and "almost inconceivable." He reassured Netanyahu that "you are not alone," reiterating the United States' unwavering commitment to supporting Israel in safeguarding its citizens. He also pledged to collaborate with regional allies to prevent further tragedies.