One day after an explosion killed hundreds at a hospital in the Gaza Strip, U.S. President Joe Biden visited Israel to reaffirm American support for the Jewish nation in its war against Hamas. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday (18), Biden stated that American intelligence has evidence that the deadly explosion at the hospital was not Israel’s responsibility, but rather caused by rockets mistakenly fired by Palestinian fighters.
The evidence collected by American intelligence includes satellite data and other infrared data showing the launch of a rocket or missile from positions of Palestinian fighters in Gaza, U.S. officials said. The United States also analyzed videos showing that the launch did not come from Israeli military positions. Additionally, Israeli officials provided intercepted communications from Hamas officials, stating that the attack originated from forces aligned with Palestinian militant groups.
Biden also mentioned that he secured an agreement with Israel to allow some humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would not block the supply of food, water, and medicine across the border with Egypt to civilians in southern Gaza, but warned: “Any supplies that reach Hamas will be thwarted.”
There were no immediate comments from the Egyptian government, where emergency supplies are waiting to cross the land border into Gaza.
Brazil’s Proposal for “Humanitarian Pause” Rejected at the UN
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rejected on Wednesday (18) the proposal presented by the Brazilian government regarding the conflict involving Israel and the Palestinian extremist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. The text called for humanitarian pauses in the attacks between Israel and Hamas to allow access for aid to the Gaza Strip.
The voting result was 12 votes in favor, two abstentions, one of which was from Russia, and one opposing vote from the United States. As a permanent member, the U.S. vote resulted in the rejection of the Brazilian proposal.
After the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, reminded that President Joe Biden was in the region of the conflict, which, according to her, demonstrates the country’s involvement in the issue. “While we acknowledge the Brazilian government’s desire to pass the proposal, we need to let this diplomacy happen.”
Source: The New York Times and Agência Brasil