Photo: Global Look Press
The White House said , that Biden did not hear the question about the ground operation in Gaza, according to the TASS material.
Reuters earlier 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 more prisoners, Biden answered in the affirmative. It was previously reported that the United States, Qatar and Egypt were unable to reach an agreement with Hamas to release 50 Israeli prisoners, although American citizens had previously been released.
At the same time, the White House confirmed Biden's answer to the question he asked him, but emphasized that he did not actually hear what he was asked and only expressed his desire to release as many prisoners as possible.
On the morning of October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas. At the same time, organized groups of Hamas fighters began to infiltrate Israeli territory, easily overrunning the first line of defense of the Israeli army, taking hostages and causing serious damage. Israel later launched Operation Iron Sword, launching attacks on the Gaza Strip and stopping all supplies of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel.
The current death toll from Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 4,100, including 19 Russian citizens, the number of wounded exceeded 13 thousand. In addition, Hamas militants may hold up to 150 Israelis hostage.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to cease all hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a solution to this crisis is possible only on the basis of the “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, i.e. the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with the capital in East Jerusalem.
Rockets over Ashkelon, destroyed church: horrifying footage from the war between Israel and Hamas
View photo gallery on the topic