Biden Expresses Concern Over Palestinian Civilians in West Bank

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, on Wednesday, November 3, expressed clear concern regarding the situation of Palestinian civilians whose lives have been affected by the conflict between Hamas and Israel. According to Voice of America, Mr. Biden stated that he remains worried about attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, describing these attacks as 'pouring gasoline on the fire.' He made these remarks at the beginning of a joint press conference with Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, who is visiting the U.S. The U.S. President referred to the Oslo Accords of 1993, stating, 'It was a deal, an agreement was made, and they are attacking Palestinians in places where they have the right to be.' Joe Biden further called for accountability from Israel and an end to attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which is run by the Palestinian Authority, over a hundred Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank due to retaliatory actions by Israeli settlers and military attacks since Hamas's assault on Israel on October 7. Israeli officials reported that at least 1,400 people were killed in Hamas's attacks on southern Israel, and militants from this Palestinian group took around 200 hostages. The U.S., European Union, and Japan have designated the Hamas militant group, which is supported by the Islamic Republic, as a terrorist organization. Mr. Biden did not mention the role of the Israeli army in the violence in the West Bank during his speech. The joint press conference of Joe Biden with Anthony Albanese followed the Hamas attacks, during which Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's Minister of National Security and an extremist right-wing settler known for anti-Arab provocations, distributed weapons among Israeli settlers, many of whom were already armed. Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, considers the decades-long Israeli occupation of the West Bank as one of its motivations for attacking Israeli civilians and soldiers. According to the Health Ministry controlled by Hamas, Israeli retaliatory airstrikes since October 7 have killed over five thousand people in Gaza and displaced over a million. Joe Biden expressed skepticism about the casualty figures in Gaza, stating he doubts that 'the Palestinians are telling the truth.' A senior U.S. official told Voice of America that the President is suspicious of the figures provided by Hamas, given the limited ability of international organizations to verify them and the group's history of 'inflating casualty numbers.' Robert McCaw, who oversees government affairs at the American Islamic Relations Council, questioned Joe Biden's doubts about the casualty figures. He told Voice of America, 'If only a thousand children have been killed, will the President of the United States feel better?' Nevertheless, Joe Biden's recent remarks represent his most prominent and compassionate statements towards Palestinians since the onset of the recent war. He outlined a post-war vision where Hamas, an organization that Washington designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997, is dismantled, and the region moves towards a two-state solution. Mr. Biden also emphasized the need for Israel's Arab neighbors to reach a diplomatic agreement with Israel without sidelining the Palestinian cause, stating that progress towards an 'Israeli regional coalition' was the motivation for Hamas's attack. Ground attacks on Hamas positions in Gaza; Israel: More attacks are on the way. The European Union's request for a ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. The Israeli army conducted air and drone strikes in southern Lebanon. Israel: Hostages must be released unconditionally. Ground operations in northern Gaza; the Israeli army: preparations for the next stages of the war. Amir Abdollahian: There is a possibility of losing control by all parties. McCall called for the adoption of a resolution supporting Israel and condemning the Islamic Republic. Biden's warning to the 'Ayatollah': Continued attacks on U.S. positions will not go unanswered. Xi Jinping: China is willing to cooperate with the U.S. and manage disputes. Putin: The Israel-Hamas conflict poses a risk of spreading beyond the Middle East.