“I didn’t hear the question”: the White House commented on Biden’s statement about the operation in Gaza

The White House said Biden did not hear the question about the ground operation in Gaza, TASS reports.

Reuters previously reported that US President Joe Biden called on the Israeli authorities to postpone the ground operation in the Gaza Strip until it is possible to achieve the release of even more prisoners. According to Reuters, when asked by a correspondent whether Israel should delay the start of the operation in the Gaza Strip until the release of other prisoners, Biden gave an affirmative answer. Earlier it was reported that the United States, Qatar and Egypt were unable to agree with Hamas on the release of 50 Israeli prisoners.

A White House press pool message released afterward confirmed that Biden responded positively. However, journalists clarify that the American leader answered only the second part of it. Biden, “the White House said, did not hear the question and simply said he wanted more hostages released,” the text said.

On the morning of October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. At the same time, organized groups of Hamas fighters began to penetrate into Israeli territory, who easily overcame the first line of defense of the Israeli army, took hostages and caused serious damage. Israel later launched Operation Iron Swords, attacking the Gaza Strip and cutting off all supplies of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel.

At the moment, the number of deaths from Israeli army strikes in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 4,100, including 19 Russian citizens, and the number of wounded has exceeded 13 thousand. In addition, Hamas militants may be holding up to 150 Israelis hostage.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to stop all hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a resolution to this crisis is possible only on the basis of a “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, that is, the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.