During his visit to Tel Aviv, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his firm support for a two-state solution to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinian people. He also announced $100 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza and the West Bank.
After his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Biden said, “We are measured by the power of our example, and that’s why as hard as it is, we must keep pursuing peace. We must keep pursuing a path so that Israel and the Palestinian people can both live safely and securely in dignity and in peace. For me, that means a two-state solution.”
But he also warned Israelis they should not give into their “rage” after the attack and follow the law of war.
“You are a Jewish state, but you’re also a democracy,” Biden said after meeting Israeli leaders. “Like the United States, you don’t live by the rules of terrorists. You live by the rule of law… You can’t give up what makes you who you are.”
Biden stressed that the vast majority of Palestinians were not affiliated with Hamas.
“Palestinian people are suffering greatly as well,” Biden said. Retaliatory Israeli strikes after the Hamas attacks have killed more than 3,000 Palestinians, Palestinian authorities say.
OIC Backs Palestinian Sovereignty
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), consisting of 57 member states, voiced its support for establishing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine with borders as of June 4, 1967, including its capital, Al-Quds (East Jerusalem).
$100 million humanitarian aid for Gaza and the West Bank
President Biden vowed his support for the people of Israel by announcing a substantial humanitarian aid package of $100 million for Gaza and the West Bank.
This aid is aimed at assisting over 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians. Biden underlined, “And we will have mechanisms in place so this aid reaches those in need – not Hamas or terrorist groups.”
He also made it clear, “Let me make myself clear: The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. And Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.”
Escalation of violence
Israel reports over 1,400 casualties on its side, while on the Palestinian side, as many as 3,478 people have been killed, with 12,065 others injured.
The situation in Gaza is also disturbing as essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel reach critically low levels. Israel had previously issued an ultimatum for population relocation in a specific area of Gaza.
(inputs from AP)
