Biden backs Israel's account of Gaza hospital strike
What's the story
United States (US) President Joe Biden landed in Israel on Wednesday amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the airport.
His visit also coincides with the deadly airstrike on Gaza hospital on Tuesday, which killed 500 people.
Biden expressed outrage at the explosion but reportedly "blamed the other team" based on what he had allegedly seen.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The attack on Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital has reportedly stalled possible diplomatic attempts toward peace amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas have accused each other of carrying out the attack.
While other nations have appealed for peace, the US has supported "Israel's right to defend itself."
Some 2,000 US troops are reportedly preparing for a possible deployment to West Asia.
Joe Biden
Hospital blast appears to be done by 'other team': Biden
Per CNN, Biden told Netanyahu, "Based on what I've seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you."
"But there's a lot of people out there who're not sure. So we have to overcome a lot of things," he said.
However, he did not elaborate on the evidence that led him to that conclusion.
Twitter Post
Netanyahu greets Biden at airport
US President Joe Biden arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel amid Israel-Hamas conflict.
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2023
(Pics Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/47CiKIOdo9
Facts
Biden cancels meeting with Arab leaders
Biden called off his trip to Jordan to attend a summit of Arab leaders after the Palestinian authority canceled the summit following the strike.
He had been scheduled to meet with Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
However, he went ahead with his solidarity visit to Israel in the aftermath of the terrorist attack by Hamas.
Statement
World leaders condemn Gaza hospital strike
Earlier, condemning the hospital bombing, Biden said, "I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted."
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also strongly condemned the "horrific" airstrike.
Several world leaders also condemned the attack, including those from the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, and the Arab League.
Israel
IDF released evidence linking Hamas ally to Gaza hospital attack
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday shared alleged "evidence" suggesting that the explosion at the Gaza hospital was the result of a misfired Islamic Jihad rocket.
Earlier, Netanyahu also blamed "terrorists in Gaza" for the attack, a day after Palestinian authorities accused Israel of it.
In response, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, called him a "liar."