Done By Other Team: US President Biden Backs Israel Over Gaza Hospital Attack, Netanyahu Thanks For Support

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday (18 October) supported Israel's assertion that militants were responsible for the attack at a Gaza hospital, resulting in hundreds of casualties and escalating tensions across the Middle East.

"I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team," Biden conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv.

Biden's visit to Israel aims to demonstrate solidarity and engage in discussions about the escalating Gaza war. Upon landing, Biden embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog on the tarmac, NDTV reported.

Shortly after arrival, Biden, in a joint address with Netanyahu, expressed his support for Israel's war against Hamas. He strongly backed Israel and its military campaign, a response to the cross-border attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people.

"I wanted to be here today. For a simple reason, I want the people of Israel, the people in the world to know where the United States stands," Biden stated.

Biden also condemned the 'atrocities' committed by Hamas, accusing them of taking hostages and reportedly beheading women and children. He remarked, "They (Hamas) committed atrocities that make ISIS look somewhat rational. We also have to bear in mind that Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people and has brought them only suffering."

The US president expressed encouragement for Netanyahu to provide life-saving assistance to innocent Palestinians caught in the conflict. Joe Biden also conveyed pride in visiting Israel, commending the courage and commitment of its people, Hindustan Times reported.

Netanyahu thanked Biden for his unequivocal support in the Gaza war and updated him on the death toll resulting from the Hamas cross-border attack. Netanyahu expressed gratitude, stating that he speaks for all Israelis in thanking Biden for standing with Israel today, tomorrow, and always.

Both Hamas and Israel traded accusations about the blast at the hospital, with conflicting claims about its cause. Hamas attributes the blast to an Israeli rocket, while the Benjamin Netanyahu government denies any involvement. The Israeli military attributes the incident to a misfired outgoing rocket by the Islamic Jihad group.