Biden says US continues to monitor situation in Israel after speaking to Netanyahu

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US continues to monitor the situation in Israel, President Joe Biden said Wednesday.

In remarks before a speech at the White House, Biden said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early Wednesday.

The call is the fourth communication between the two leaders since a Hamas attack Oct. 7 and Israel's subsequent forceful response in the Gaza Strip.

The US president reiterated that there is no justification for terrorism.

"My commitment to Israel’s security and safety of the Jewish people is unshakable. United States has his back and we're going to be working on this all through the day and beyond," he added.

The conflict began Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.