By Burak Dag
US President Joe Biden on Thursday dodged a reporter's question on whether Israel is acting in line with the laws of war in Gaza.
"Mr. President, are Israelis operating within the laws of war that you talked about last week," a reporter asked Biden.
Instead of answering the question, Biden said, "Good talking to you all," and then left the press availability room at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base, where Air Force One stopped for fuel on its way back to Washington.
The flattening of Gaza’s Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital this Tuesday, killing some 500 people, has been widely blamed on an Israeli airstrike, though Israel has denied any involvement. But that incident as well as Israel’s “total siege” of Gaza – cutting it off from water, electricity, and fuel – have led protesters worldwide and many observers to accuse Israel of flouting the rules of war.
Prior to that, Biden denied reports Israeli press saying that US officials had stated that if Hezbollah started a war against Israel, the US army would support the Israeli army in this battle.
On the possibility of Israel canceling its widely expected land operation against Gaza, Biden merely said that Israeli and US military officials are talking about what the alternatives might be.
Biden also stated that efforts to evacuate US citizens in Gaza are continuing.
In a phone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi upon his return from Israel, Biden said Sisi had initially agreed to open the border for approximately 20 aid trucks to enter the embattled Gaza Strip, which is badly in need of supplies.
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”
At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.