Biden pledges to free all Israeli hostages in Gaza
The five-month-old war between Israel and Hamas was a key part of US President Joe Biden's State of the Union address. After talking about various issues of national interest, the US president went on to address foreign policy, focusing in particular on the Middle East conflict.
- Biden calls for protection of civilians in Gaza
- Biden announces emergency mission to send more aid to Gaza
- "The only real solution is a two-state solution"
- The threat from Iran and its groups in the region
- US seeks competition with China, not conflict
"I know that the last five months have been heartbreaking for many people, for the Israeli people, for the Palestinian people and for many here in the United States," Biden began, recalling that the war that began on 7 October began "with a massacre by the terrorist group Hamas".
This brutal attack left 1,200 people dead. More than 200 Israelis - including children, women and the elderly - were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, of whom more than 100 are still being held. Evidence of sexual violence and torture was also found.
International Women’s Day 2024 💔
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) March 7, 2024
19 Women are still held captive in HELL by the terrorist organization Hamas.
We must bring them all back home, Now 🎗️ pic.twitter.com/CIKOX5JAAv
7 October will be remembered as "the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust", as Biden noted.
Biden delivered his speech in front of family members of hostages still held by Hamas. In this regard, the president promised all the families "not to rest until we bring every single one of their loved ones home".
Regarding the Israeli military operation in Gaza, Biden assured that Israel "has the right to pursue Hamas", indicating that the terrorist group could put an end to the conflict by releasing the hostages and surrendering.
Biden calls for protection of civilians in Gaza
However, Biden also stressed that Israel has "a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza". "Israel has an additional burden because Hamas hides and operates among the civilian population like cowards, leaving hospitals and kindergartens behind," he said.
This war has already caused more civilian casualties than all previous wars in Gaza combined. "More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed," Biden noted.
TODAY: American aid was airdropped into Gaza for a second time.
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) March 5, 2024
"U.S. C-130s dropped over 36,800 U.S. and Jordanian meal equivalents in Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid," according to @CENTCOM. pic.twitter.com/1Ym6kdjoyk
The US president highlighted the suffering of the Gazan population, recalling that millions of people have been displaced by the fighting, thousands of homes have been destroyed, as well as entire neighbourhoods and towns. "Families without food, without water, without medicine. It's heartbreaking," he lamented.
To put an end to this tragic situation, as well as to free the hostages, the US has stepped up diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire. Washington has also led international efforts to bring more humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Tonight, I’m directing the U.S. military to establish a temporary pier on the Gaza coast that can receive shipments of food, water, medicine, and shelter.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 8, 2024
To Israel, I say humanitarian assistance cannot be secondary.
Protecting and saving innocent lives must be a priority.
Biden announces emergency mission to send more aid to Gaza
"Tonight, I am directing the US military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary dock in the Mediterranean off the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of food, water, medicine and temporary shelters," Biden announced.
The president made it clear that "there will be no US troops on the ground", as this temporary dock will only serve to increase the humanitarian assistance that enters Gaza every day.
Regarding this plan, Biden addressed the Israeli authorities, calling on them to allow more aid into the enclave and to ensure that aid workers "do not get caught in the crossfire".
The US president also urged Israel not to use humanitarian assistance as a "bargaining chip". "Protecting and saving innocent lives must be a priority," he stressed.
"But Israel must also do its part. Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the cross fire." pic.twitter.com/PRHyLnpgcP
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 8, 2024
"The only real solution is a two-state solution"
Regarding the future of the conflict, Biden again stressed that "the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution", something the Israeli government rejects at this time.
Biden again proposed a two-state solution while recalling his commitment to Israel. "I am the only American president to visit Israel during a time of war," he said.
However, according to Biden, "there is no other way to ensure Israel's security and democracy". "There is no other way to ensure that Palestinians can live in peace and dignity. And there is no other path that guarantees peace between Israel and all of its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia".
The US had been working for months to push for normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia, something that would be a regional and international milestone. However, the outbreak of war brought these negotiations to a halt, in part. Indeed, it has been suggested on several occasions that one of Hamas' - and Iran's - motives in launching the 7 October attack was to thwart an agreement between Jerusalem and Riyadh.
The threat from Iran and its groups in the region
During his speech, Biden also mentioned the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying that in order to promote stability in the Middle East it was necessary to "contain the threat posed by Iran".
The Tehran regime not only supports and finances Hamas, but is also behind other organisations such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Iraq and Syria.
"That is why I formed a coalition of more than a dozen countries to defend international shipping and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. I have ordered strikes to degrade Houthi capabilities and defend US forces in the region. As commander in chief, I will not hesitate to take additional steps to protect our people and our military personnel," Biden said.
🇾🇪⚡️ Heavy American airstrikes on Hodeida International Airport. pic.twitter.com/OcD0E3eIrL
— War Watch (@WarWatchs) March 6, 2024
US seeks competition with China, not conflict
During his speech, Biden also made reference to the war in Ukraine, as well as the relationship with China, a power with whom the president seeks "competition, not conflict". "We are in a stronger position than anyone to win the 21st century conflict against China," he warned.
"We are opposing China's unfair economic practices. We are defending peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he concluded.
