Israel-Gaza War: 'Hamas Doesn't Represent Palestinian People,' Says US President Joe Biden

(MENAFN- Live Mint) "Israel-Gaza war: US President Joe Biden on Friday said that the majority of 'overwhelming' Palestinians are not Hamas and further alleged that they're also suffering as a result of Hamas' terrorism a post on X, Biden wrote,“I won't mince words. The overwhelming majority of Palestinians are not Hamas. And Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people. In fact, they're also suffering as a result of Hamas' terrorism. We need to be clear-eyed about that reality.”Meanwhile, as reported by AP, citing the territory's health officials, Israeli strikes have allegedly killed at least 71 people in southern and central Gaza is to be further noted that the US President has backed Israel since the October 7 attack, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted another 250, Biden has also urged Congress to fund additional weapons and aid for Israel as it mounts an offensive to capture Hamas operatives and rescue Israeli hostages Read: Too many have been killed: UK's Prince William pleas for end of Gaza warHowever, the White House has openly expressed its divergence from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on topics such as the 'two-state solution', which Biden favours, despite Netanyahu and many within his coalition opposing it, as well as on the count of civilian casualties caused by Israel, AP reported a statement, Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said that Biden“is working closely and proudly with leaders in the” Muslim and Arab American communities“to listen to them about a wide range of issues.”Also Read: US President Biden calls Vladimir Putin 'crazy SOB', Kremlin hits back with 'attempting to look like Hollywood cowboy'Moussa added,“He has urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties,” Moussa said. \"He has also successfully pressed for humanitarian aid to be delivered in Gaza.”Meanwhile, on Thursday, the UN agency for Palestinian Refugees cautioned that it is facing a crucial point as it grapples with the challenges posed by the conflict in Gaza.“It is with profound regret that I must now inform you that UNRWA has reached a breaking point,” chief Philippe Lazzarini said, as donors freeze funding, Israel exerts pressure to dismantle the agency and humanitarian needs soar Read: Where the hell this comes from..., Joe Biden slams Donald Trump for comparing him to Alexei NavalnyIn a post on X, Lazzarini wrote,“In just over four months in Gaza, there have been more #children, more journalists, more medical personnel, and more UN staff killed than anywhere in the world during a conflict. It is with profound regret that I must now inform you that UNRWA has reached a breaking point, with Israel's repeated calls to dismantle it and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza.”In a letter to the assembly, he wrote,“The Agency's ability to fulfill the mandate given through General Assembly resolution 302 is now seriously threatened.”
The resolution established the agency in 1949 following Israel's creation. Several nations, including the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, have halted funding to Israeli accusations that some staff members were involved in the October 7 attack, Lazzarini said that $438 million, over half of the anticipated 2024 funding, has been frozen.(With inputs from AP)

MENAFN22022024007365015876ID1107889304