Putin: Gaza hospital attack a catastrophe, signals necessity of ending conflict soon
GAZA ( Web News )
“Speaking about the attack on the hospital, the tragedy that took place there, I must say it’s a horrible event; hundreds killed, hundreds wounded. This is certainly a catastrophe,” state news agency Interfax cited Putin as saying.
He added: “I really hope that this will be a signal that this conflict needs to end as quickly as possible. In any case, we need to focus on the possibility of starting some contacts and negotiations.”
Putin highlighted his discussions with Middle Eastern leaders: “As for my impression after talking with five leaders of the region… I got the impression that no one wants to the conflict to continue or for the situation to worsen.”
On Tuesday, Palestinian officials said hundreds of civilians were killed by a massive explosion at a Gaza hospital which was serving as a shelter for thousands of displaced people when it came under fire.
Palestinian officials blamed Israel airstrikes for the tragedy, however, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “categorically” denied involvement in the attack on the hospital and pointed the finger of blame at a “failed rocket launch” by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group.
Israel’s strike on Gaza hospital was ‘deliberate’: Palestinian FM
Israel’s strike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was “deliberate,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said at an urgent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
He also said that Israel’s “war machine” has killed over 1,300 children in Gaza, and slammed the international community that does nothing but “count the number of victims in Gaza.”
Biden backs Israel’s account of Gaza hospital strike that killed hundreds
“I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday.
“But there’s a lot of people out there not sure so we have to overcome a lot of things,” Biden said.
TEL AVIV ( Web News )
US President Joe Biden on a solidarity visit to Israel Wednesday backed the ally’s account that Palestinian militants caused a devastating hospital strike in Gaza, adding Hamas had brought “only suffering.”
“I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” Biden said as he opened a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.
“But there’s a lot of people out there not sure so we have to overcome a lot of things,” Biden said.
Health authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza said the explosion killed between 200 and 300 people and was caused by the latest in a wave of Israeli airstrikes.
The Israeli military blamed Palestinian militants, saying an outgoing Islamic Jihad rocket misfired and that it would provide evidence.
“We have to bear in mind that Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people and has brought them only suffering,” Biden said.
Biden said he was encouraging Netanyahu to ensure “life-saving capacity to help the Palestinians who are innocent and caught in the middle of this.”
In announcing Biden’s visit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Israel had agreed to work with the United States on a plan to let aid into Gaza, which has been besieged and bombarded for 12 days and under an Israeli blockade for 17 years.
Israel is threatening a ground invasion following the devastating October 7 assault by Hamas militants.
Biden said he was “proud” to visit Israel.
“I want to say to the people of Israel – their courage, their commitment and their bravery is stunning,” Biden said.