Joe Biden will seek an "unprecedented" aid package for Israel.
Joe Biden is looking to send an 'unprecedented' aid package to Israel
The US president has committed $100 million in humanitarian assistance as he reaffirmed America's support for Israel during his visit to the region on Wednesday (18.10.23).
The aid will go to Gaza and the West Bank to support over a million people displaced by the conflict.
Biden revealed that he planned to ask Congress for an "unprecedented support package for Israel's defence" but did not elaborate further.
The president explained that aid would be delivered via the United Nations and international non-governmental organisations and warned Hamas against commandeering the supplies.
Biden said: "Let me be clear, if Hamas averts or steals the assistance, it will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people."
The politician had arrived in Tel Aviv just hours after an explosion killed hundreds of people taking shelter at a hospital in Gaza.
Speaking after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, Biden said: "I was outraged and saddened by the enormous loss of life yesterday in the hospital in Gaza."
Israel and Hamas have both blamed each other for the deadly hospital blast and Biden expressed his grief for civilians who have lost their lives.
He said: "The United States unequivocally stands for the protection of civilian life during conflict. And I grieve, I truly grieve for the families who were killed or wounded by this tragedy."
Tagged in Joe Biden