Biden calls 'Israel's' Gaza 'response' 'over the top'
3 Min Read
In his address, US President Joe Biden says that the Israeli 'response' to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is 'over the top,' alledging that he exerted efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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President Joe Biden speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
In an unexpected address to Americans on Thursday, US President Joe Biden criticized the Israeli 'response' to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood launched by Hamas as "over the top" on Thursday.
"I'm of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in Gaza, in the Gaza Strip, has been over the top," the Democrat told reporters at the White House.
The United States' backing of the Israeli aggression against Gaza has led to a surge in attacks on US troops in the region, along with criticism of the Biden administration both domestically and internationally.
Extended periods of bombardment and siege have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis, particularly in southern Gaza. However, Biden stated that he had allegedly exerted efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi initially "did not want to open up the gate to allow humanitarian material to get in."
"I talked to him, I convinced him to open the gate. I talked to Bibi to open the gate on the Israeli side," Biden continued, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I've been pushing really hard, really hard to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza," he alleged.
Biden lashes out over criticism of failing memory
Biden defended his mental competence following remarks in a report released earlier in the day regarding his handling of classified documents.
Broadcasting live from the White House, Biden expressed fury over the report's assertion that he was incapable of recalling significant moments in his life, including the date of his son Beau's passing in 2015.
"My memory is fine," he said.
"There's even a reference that I don't remember when my son died. How in the hell dare he raise that?" Biden said, visibly fighting to rein in his emotions.
Earlier on Thursday, MAGA Inc, a pro-Donald Trump political action organization, issued a statement saying that US President Joe Biden is unsuitable to govern the country.
Director of the MAGA Inc. organization Alex Pfeiffer expressed Thursday that “If you’re too senile to stand trial, then you’re too senile to be president. Joe Biden is unfit to lead this nation."
In the investigation into US President Joe Biden's handling of classified materials, Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded that Biden intentionally kept and shared classified information. However, a Justice Department report released on Thursday stated that Hur did not recommend criminal charges against him.
"Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen," wrote Hur in the report, adding that there were no grounds for criminal charges in the case.
