Biden trip ends with promise of humanitarian aid to Gaza, backs Israel over hospital blast
President Biden took a day trip to Israel in efforts to keep the country’s war against Hamas from escalating into a wider conflict in the Middle East and to urge humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire. Biden’s visit on Wednesday came after hundreds of people were killed in an explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital the day before.
Coverage for this event has ended.
Suspected North Korean-made F-7 rocket-propelled grenades, many with a distinctive red stripe on their warhead, are seen at an Israeli military base in southern Israel, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. Hamas fighters likely used North Korean-manufactured rocket-propelled grenades during their unprecedented assault on Israel that killed over 1,400 people and saw scores taken hostage. (AP Photo/ Alon Bernstein)
Iran-backed terror group Hamas likely used North Korean weapons during its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, analysis and various evidence, including a militant video and weapons seized by Israel, now show, according to the Associated Press.
A video of Hamas terrorists using a F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, allegedly made by North Korea, is at the center of the controversy after the country denied selling arms to the terrorist group. The shoulder-fired weapon fires a single warhead and can be quickly reloaded, making them ideal for attacks against armored vehicles.
The video of the men with the North Korean-made weapon was confirmed through analysis by two experts on North Korean arms and South Korean military intelligence, according to the AP, who also conducted an analysis of weapons captured on the battlefield.
"It is not a surprise to see North Korean weapons with Hamas," said Matt Schroeder, a senior researcher with Small Arms Survey who wrote a guide to Pyongyang’s light weapons.
In addition to the F-7 rocket launcher, Hamas propaganda videos and photos have included North Korea's Bulsae guided anti-tank missile. Hamas also used North Korea's Type 58 self-loading rifle, a variant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, according to N.R. Jenzen-Jones, a weapons expert who works as the director of the consultancy Armament Research Services.
Jenzen-Jones cited imagery of the weapons wielded by Hamas terrorists.
"North Korea has long supported Palestinian militant groups, and North Korean arms have previously been documented amongst interdicted supplies," Jenzen-Jones told The AP.
State-affiliated outlet Korean Central News Agency published a full-throated repudiation of military experts claiming there is evidence North Korean weapons are being used by Hamas.
"The U.S. administration's reptile press bodies and quasi-experts are spreading a groundless and false rumor that 'North Korea's weapons' seemed to be used for the attack on Israel," wrote North Korean international affairs commentator Ri Kwang-song.
"It is nothing but a bid to shift the blame for the Middle East crisis caused by its wrong hegemonic policy onto a third country and thus evade the international criticism focused on the empire of evil."
The Associated Press and Fox News Digital's Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) heads to the Senate Chamber for a vote at the U.S. Capitol on May 10, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., issued strong statements in support of Israel on Wednesday in which he struck down calls for a ceasefire and questioned those who blamed the deadly hospital blast in Gaza on Israel.
Fetterman, who immediately condemned Hamas' terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday afternoon that it's "truly disturbing" members of Congress were quick to take the word of Hamas, who blamed the death of hundreds at a Gaza hospital on an Israeli airstrike, over "our key ally."
"Who would take the word of a group that just massacred innocent Israeli civilians over our key ally?" the Pennsylvania senator asked on X.
He continued: "I will always stand with Israel and look forward to supporting any military, intelligence, or humanitarian aid to get the job done."
A few hours later, Fetterman continued to address the Israel-Hamas war by saying Hamas' attacks are the reason why thousands of innocent Israelis and Palestinians are dead and "now is not the time to talk about a ceasefire."
In a thread on X, the congressman wrote:
"Innocent Israelis were the victims of a terrorist attack that resulted in the largest loss of Jewish lives since the Holocaust. Now we know that the tragedy at the Gaza hospital was not caused by Israel.
"I grieve for every innocent person and brave Israeli soldier killed since Hamas started this war. If not for the horrific attacks by Hamas terrorists, thousands of innocent Israelis and Palestinians would still be alive today.
"Now is not the time to talk about a ceasefire. We must support Israel in efforts to eliminate the Hamas terrorists who slaughtered innocent men, women, and children. Hamas does not want peace, they want to destroy Israel. We can talk about a ceasefire after Hamas is neutralized.
"In the meantime, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to quickly deliver the aid our ally Israel needs. This includes confirming ambassador-nominee Jack Lew as soon as possible."
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Ronen Levi met with Deputy Presidential Special Envoy for US Hostage Affairs Steve Gillen to discuss citizens held captive by terrorist group Hamas.
Ronen Levi, director general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared a photo on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday morning with Deputy Presidential Special Envoy for US Hostage Affairs Steve Gillen a few days after the two met to discuss those taken hostage by terrorist group Hamas following its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
As of Thursday morning, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson confirmed to Fox News that 203 people have been kidnapped by Hamas.
Acknowledging the strong relationship between the two countries, Levi said he appreciates the "unwavering support" shown by the US to Israel during "this important time."
"The strong collaboration between our nations (Israeli flag, US flag) underscores our unwavering dedication to ensuring the safe return of our citizens held by terrorist organization Hamas. Earlier this week, I had a significant discussion with Steven Gillen, Deputy Presidential Special Envoy for US Hostage Affairs. I extend my appreciation to Deputy Envoy Gillen and the entire United States Government for their unwavering support at this important time," Levi wrote on X.
Levi met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday following a string of meetings in the Middle East for the U.S. official. Gillen accompanied Blinken on his trip to the region, which began Oct. 12 in Israel.
Israel Defense Forces veteran Aaron Cohen and Israeli diplomat Israel Bachar joined Trace Gallagher on 'FOX News @ Night' Wednesday evening to discuss strategies the IDF may use when going into Gaza.
When talking about the well-known tunnels Hamas uses to help facilitate their terror attacks, Gallagher asked Cohen if the IDF is facing a tougher fight because of the tunnels and if there are concerns over the casualty count going up once Israeli forces begin a ground incursion.
"It's unfortunate that we have to go into those tunnels, but you know what, there's 40,000 terrorists waiting in Gaza and those gloves are off now. And Israel, one at a time is right, when they have to go in there, it's time to finally dismantle Hamas for good," Cohen said.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks at press conference on committee assignments for the 118th U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. in January 2023. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., wrote a thread on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday evening warning about misinformation "in the fog of war" after initially sharing a post placing blame for a deadly hospital blast in Gaza City on Israel, which has since been proven false by U.S. intelligence and the Israel Defense Forces.
Initially on Tuesday, the 'Squad' member shared a breaking news story from The Associated Press, which cited the Gaza Health Ministry, describing a deadly explosion at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza as the result of an Israeli airstrike. She began her post with, "bombing a hospital is among the gravest of war crimes" and ended it by saying President Biden "needs to push for an immediate ceasefire to end this slaughter."
Israel has continuously rebutted the allegations, and Biden, who was in Israel on Wednesday, said he believed the explosion was "done by the other team." Biden later stated intelligence from the Pentagon supports Israel’s assertion that the blast originated from rocket fire in Gaza. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson also reaffirmed the U.S. position.
On Wednesday, Omar responded to her initial post with a thread describing the importance of sharing credible information, which failed to include a strong condemnation of the Palestinian terrorist group Islamic Jihad, who is believed to have launched the failed rocket.
She wrote the following:
"Our office cited an AP report yesterday that the IDF had hit a Baptist hospital in Gaza. Since then, the IDF denied responsibility and the US intelligence assessment is that this was not done by Israel."
"It is a reminder that information is often unreliable and disputed in the fog of war (especially on Twitter where misinformation is rampant). We all have a responsibility to ensure information we are sharing is from credible sources and to acknowledge as new reports come in."
"It is critical that we have a fully independent investigation to determine conclusively who is responsible for this war crime."
Omar, who was thanked by few users for issuing a correction, was mostly met with demands for an apology and many asked her to condemn the blast from a misfired rocket with the same energy she used in her initial tweet placing blame on Israel.
On Wednesday, it was determined that the misfired rocket appeared to have struck a parking lot near the Hamas-run hospital, which was treating wounded Palestinians and sheltering many others. The hospital was damaged, but not destroyed.
The Gaza Health Ministry initially reported at least 500 people were killed at the hospital, but, as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Reuters quoted the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry saying 471 people are dead.
The U.S. 6th Fleet Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) departed Gaeta, Italy, Oct. 18, 2023, in support of U.S. operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
The United States Navy is sending another warship to the eastern Mediterranean as tensions in the Middle East rise amid the Israel-Hamas war.
The USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), the Navy's command and control ship, left Gaeta, Italy, on Wednesday to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in support of U.S. operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Operating as the most sophisticated Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C4I) ship ever commissioned, according to the Navy, the USS Mount Whitney was the tactical command hub for the U.S. military's Operation Odyssey Dawn against the Libyan regime in 2011.
"USS Mount Whitney incorporates various elements of the most advanced C4I equipment and gives the embarked Joint Task Force Commander the capability to effectively command widely dispersed air, ground and maritime units in an integrated fashion," the Navy said in a release, adding that "the ship's afloat communications capability is second to none."
Pro-Palestinian student groups on Wednesday staged a march and “die-in” at Harvard Business School to protest the “genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza.
The Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee and Harvard Graduate Students for Palestine organized a march from Harvard's main campus in Cambridge to its business school in Boston. The protest came more than a week after Hamas killed hundreds of
Israeli civilians in an Oct. 7 attack. In response, Israel has declared war on the terrorist group and has bombarded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes. Hamas has also fired its own rockets into Israel.
On Wednesday, chants of "Hey! Hey! You can’t hide, we charge you with genocide" and "F--- Harvard Business School" could be heard from the marchers.
Harvard University has been the center of controversy ever since the Hamas attack on Israel, with pro-Palestinian student groups releasing a joint statement claiming Israel was "entirely responsible" for Hamas’ attack.
"Today's events did not occur in a vacuum," the statement said. "For the last two decades, millions of Palestinians in Gaza have been forced to live in an open-air prison."
The letter prompted Harvard alumnus and billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, to demand Harvard release the names of the student member of the more than 30 student groups that signed the statement, so that he and other CEOs do not "inadvertently hire any" of them after graduation.
Read more here about the "die-in" by Harvard Students.
Fox News Digital's Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.
President Biden pauses during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Wednesday. (Miriam Alster/Pool Photo via AP)
A veteran State Department official resigned Tuesday over policy disagreements with President Biden’s support of Israel amid its response to the deadly attacks committed by Hamas.
Josh Paul, who spent 11 years in the agency’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which overseas the provisions of arms to U.S. partners and allies, said Israel’s response will “only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
“This administration’s response – and much of Congress’ as well – is an impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia,” Paul wrote in a two-page letter posted to LinkedIn.
He said he fears the U.S. is repeating the same mistakes “we have made these past three decades, and I decline to be a part of it for longer.
”He called the deadly attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas a “monstrosity of monstrosities.” Israel has pummeled the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in the days following the Oct. 7 attack, in which children were also killed and kidnapped by terrorist fighters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told Biden on Wednesday that Israel will continue to not allow humanitarian assistance in the form of food and medicines from our territory to the Gaza Strip as long as Hamas still has captives.
Paul concluded his letter by wishing his former colleagues well.
“And I wish all of us ― peace,” he said.
The State Department said it declined to comment on Paul's resignation.
Many Hollywood celebrities are afraid to publicly support Israel over fears of “being canceled” and have instead drawn a moral equivalence with Palestinians, one critic said.
Lieba Nesis, entertainment writer for The Jewish Voice, pointed to Kylie Jenner's attempt at showing solidarity with Israel to her 400 million followers by sharing a post that read, "Now and always, we stand with the people of Israel!"
She later deleted the post following intense backlash.
"They're afraid of being canceled," Nesis told Fox News Digital. "Hollywood people live in a bubble. They're in their own little world… They never go out there and see real people. So they just fraternize with each other and they all hold the same opinions. If you diverge from that, you threaten your career, you threaten being boycotted."
"Frozen" actor Josh Gad, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, faced similar blowback.
Nesis said Gad "felt the need to correct himself" for his initial reaction expressing sympathy for Israel, writing on social media he was "personally attacked, shamed, unfollowed and threatened.”
He reiterated his long-standing criticism of the Israeli government's "occupation and their attacks on innocent Gazans."
Some celebrities have refused to give in to the pressure. Former champion boxer Floyd Mayweather expressed his unabashed support for Israel, writing on Instagram that "I stand with Israel against the Hamas terrorists. Hamas do not represent the people of Palestine but are a terrorist group that are attacking innocent lives!”
"He had to implore other celebrities and athletes to speak out for Israel," Nesis said about Mayweather. "I mean, that's what he's doing because he himself sees the silence."
Read more about Lieba Nesis' take on Hollywood's support of Israel.
Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib , D-Mich., continues to believe the Hamas narrative about a blast at a Gaza hospital it claims was targeted by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) despite finding by Israeli and American intelligence that say otherwise.
Tlaib, a member of the far-left "Squad," accused the Biden administration on Wednesday of funding a "genocide" against Palestinians as she wept while speaking to the crowd of protestors calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
"That's what's been really painful — just continue to watch people think it's okay to bomb a hospital where children. You know, what's so hard sometimes is watching those videos and the people telling the kids, 'Don't cry.' But like, let them cry! And they're shaking, and somebody — you know this — they keep telling them not to cry in Arabic. They can cry, I can cry, we all can cry. If we're not crying, something is wrong," Tlaib said.
While crying, she went on to tell the protestors they were "on the right side of history."
Tlaib first repeated a claim by Hamas that Israel bombed the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City despite video evidence and an assessment from the U.S. National Security Council that a terrorist group's own rockets caused the reported damage and deaths.
Hamas claimed the blast killed 500 people.
"Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that," Tlaib wrote on X on Tuesday.
A spokesperson from the IDF said in a tweet on Israel's main X account just hours later that the Christian hospital in Gaza was destroyed by a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket amid their barrage, not an Israeli missile.
Read more about Rep. Rashida Tlaib's response to the Gaza blast.
A Seattle man returned to Israel to serve as a reservist in the Israel Defense Forces after learning his cousins and their three children were among the hundreds of civilians killed by Hamas terrorist fighters during its brutal Oct. 7 attack.
The man, who only identified as Rotem, works in the tech industry and has been living in Seattle for about a decade with his family, He received a text message from a member of his old IDF unit last week urging him to check the news.
"A friend in my reserve unit texted me, ‘I think we are going to meet each other earlier than we thought.' And I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ He said, ’Check the news.’ I saw what was happening … understood we were going to be drafted,” Rotem told “America Reports” on Wednesday.
“My wife knew this was going to happen; we had been speaking about it. Being a reservist for God knows, how long now, over 20 years, so it was clear that I was going to jump on the first plane and make it to Israel," he added.
After watching what unfolded in Israel, Rotem decided to join more than 300,000 other IDF reservists who were called up to serve.
"It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was a very clear-cut decision," he said Wednesday on "America Reports."
Read more about the IDF reservist.
Israel and Hamas continue to trade blame for a Tuesday explosion at the al-Ahali Hospital in Gaza City that the terrorist group said killed hundreds of people, fueling outrage throughout the Arab world.
Israel has countered that the hospital was hit after a rocket misfire in Gaza launched by the Palestine Islamic Jihad, another terror group.
Online video making the rounds on social media suggests the al-Ahali Hospital in Gaza City was not directly hit by a rocket on Tuesday, but instead the missile appears to have struck a nearby parking lot, leading to many conflicting claims of who was responsible, where the missile struck and how many people died.
"An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the al-Ahli [Baptist] hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit," IDF officials said. "Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza."
Hamas was targeting Tel Aviv with rocket fire on Tuesday and has been targeting central Israel multiple times each day.
President Biden, who was in Israel on Wednesday, stated intelligence from the Defense Department supports Israel’s assertion that the blast originated from rocket fire in Gaza.
Israeli media showed footage from their own cameras that appears to show at least one rocket fired by Palestinians in Gaza falling short and landing on a hospital in their own territory.
Read more about the Gaza hospital blast.
Fox News' Greg Wehner, Michael Tobin and Trey Yingst contributed to this report.
An Israeli Christian man who lives three miles from the border with Lebanon said he evacuated his family because he believes Hezbollah is a more powerful enemy than Hamas.
"There's no reason for kids and children to hear those explosions," Shadi Khaloul said. "As a responsible father, I just sent them away from here, and I asked them to just pray for us."
Since Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 attack, there have been fears of Hezbollah — an Iran-backed terrorist group in Lebanon — entering the war.
Israel evacuated its residents that live within 1.2 miles from Lebanon on Monday amid cross-border fire, including Hezbollah launching anti-tank missiles into the Jewish state.
Khaloul said he evacuated his wife, children, brother, and sister-in-law, as well as his nieces and nephews to Europe.
He didn’t specify which country, citing security reasons. "I am here with my parents," Khaloul said, adding that he hasn’t evacuated because "I am here to defend our home, community and Israel."
President Biden said he got “no pushback” from Israeli leaders about his pledge to give $100 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza and the West Bank and other matters.
“I got no pushback,” Biden told reporters while at Ramstein Air Base in Germany following his visit to Israel. “Virtually none.”
Biden spent Wednesday in Israel where he spoke with Israeli leaders and announced a $100 million pledge in humanitarian aid to assist the people of Gaza and the West Bank.
He added that reports that U.S. troops would back Israeli forces if Israel is attacked by Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based terrorist group, were false.
The president also said he was confident in Defense Department intelligence that determined an explosion at a Hamas-run hospital on Tuesday was the work of terrorists, not Israel.
The explosion occurred at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, which Hamas said was the result of an Israeli airstrike. The news was met with condemnation across the Arab world and prompted the cancelation of a four-way summit between Biden and regional leaders in Jordan.
Israel determined the explosion was the result of a rocket misfire in Gaza by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group.
“Our Defense Department says it’s highly unlikely that (it was) the Israelis,” Biden said. “I’m not saying Hamas deliberately did it either. It’s that old thing, you got to learn how to shoot straight.”
“It’s not the first time Hamas has launched something that didn’t function,” he added.
President Biden pauses during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel on Wednesday. (Miriam Alster/Pool Photo via AP)
President Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Thursday to discuss the wars in the Israel and Ukraine, the White House said.
Biden will deliver his speech at 8 p.m. ET.
“Tomorrow, President Biden will address the nation to discuss our response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia’s ongoing brutal war against Ukraine,” a White House statement said.
Biden visited Israel on Wednesday where he spoke with Israeli officials about the ongoing war with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip.
He has pledged to support Israel while at the same time providing military aid to Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
In January 2020, Iran launched a wave of missiles at Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, capital of Iraq's Kurdish region, in retaliation for the U.S. killing Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike. (Ayman Henna/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. military forces in Iraq destroyed a drone and damaged another at bases hosting American troops, officials said Wednesday.
American and coalition forces defended themselves against three drones in the past 24 hours, said U.S. Central Command.
Coalition forces sustained minor injuries while engaging the two drones in western Iraq, CENTCOM said. In a northern part of the country, U.S. forces destroyed a drone and no injuries were reported.
Two U.S. defense officials confirmed to Fox News that the U.S. intercepted two one-way attack drones targeting Iraq's al-Asad air base where American troops are located.
Officials were still assessing the impacts to operations.
“In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region,” a CENTCOM statement said. “We want to emphasize U.S. forces will defend U.S. and Coalition forces against any threat.”
Defense officials tell Fox News the U.S. currently has about 2,500 troops in Iraq. Officials didn’t say who is believed to be responsible for the drones.
Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
A spokesperson for the Israel defense Forces (IDF) criticized mainstream media outlets for reporting claims by Hamas that Israel was responsible for an explosion at a hospital that the terrorist group said killed hundreds of people.
"This is an organization that will butcher babies in their bedrooms, they’ll have no problem lying to you," IDF Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said Wednesday on "Outnumbered."
Israel said the Tuesday explosion was the result of a rocket misfire launched by the Palestine Islamic Jihad terror group from Gaza. The IDF has since released video footage of the blast.
However, many news organizations, and some U.S. congress members, reported the claims by the Hamas Health Ministry.
Israel has accused Hamas of spreading misinformation and false claims.
Lerner sparred with a CNN host earlier in the day, accusing the network of not really wanting the "proof," before the CNN anchor firmly pushed back. He addressed the CNN spat during his "Outnumbered" appearance that turned into a plea for journalists to carefully cover the conflict.
Lerner said that viewers and journalists alike need to understand there is a "responsibility" when reporting, particularly when covering conflict.
"In these crazy times, in times of conflict, we need to be responsible and stand up to that responsibility… I’ve been presenting Israel’s case in order to try to get this message across – Hamas cannot be trusted," Lerner said.
Fox News Digital's Brian Flood contributed to this report.
Dozens of protesters took to the streets near the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to call for ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip worsens, resulting in 300 arrests, authorities said.
Footage from inside the Cannon Office Building shows a large group chanting “Ceasefire Now” and calling for Congress to demand the fighting stop in Israel.
The group Jewish Voice for Peace said some demonstrators had been arrested inside the U.S. Capitol building.
“We're all here to demand an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people, aided and abetted by the U.S. government,” the group wrote on X, formally Twitter.
In a subsequent post, the group said it refuses to standby “as the Israeli government commits genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
The House Sergeant at Arms said it was restricting access because of the demonstration.
“Due to First Amendment activities on Capitol Grounds, all pedestrian entry points to the House Office Buildings are restricted to Members and Staff ONLY,” a message from the House Sergeant at Arms said.
The U.S. Capitol Police said it began making arrests when protesters failed to stop demonstrating in the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed in congressional buildings.
Among those arrested, at least three people were taken into custody on suspicion of assault on a police officer during processing, the USCP said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis released a video message criticizing President Biden over a $100 million pledge for humanitarian assistance for the West Bank and Gaza Strip. (Gov. Rob DeSantis)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized President Biden over his announcement Wednesday to give a $100 million “gift” to Hamas.
During his trip to Israel, Biden pledged the funds for humanitarian assistance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
DeSantis said the money will likely not make it to the people who need it most in Gaza.
“We know Hamas is going to commandeer that money and Hamas is going to use it to advance terrorism,” he said in a video message. “I say no U.S. tax dollars to the Gaza Strip.”
DeSantis noted Hamas is still holding American hostages in Gaza and urged his fellow Republicans vying for the party’s presidential nomination to stand with him.
"This money will support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza," he said.
Biden said the money will “support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs” in Gaza, saying they are in dire need of food, water, shelter and medical care.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul arrives in Tel Aviv to speak with Israeli leaders and victims and their families following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas (Gov. Kathy Hochul / X)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul flew to Israel Wednesday to speak with leaders and Israelis amid the country’s escalating war with Hamas.
Hochul met with Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, in Tel Aviv and spoke with victims and the families of hostages “who experienced hell on earth in the community of Kfar Aza when Hamas attacked.”
“Our hearts break for them,” she wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. “We pray for the safe return of those who have been taken hostage and will continue to do whatever we can to support them.”
Upon touching her arrival, Hochul said New York and Israel share a special bond and that “and I’m proud to be here to show our solidarity with the Israeli people.”
President Biden also visited Israel on Wednesday where he spoke with Israeli leaders about the ongoing conflict.
Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf called for the United Kingdom to help the people of Gaza on Wednesday. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Humza Yousaf, the First Minister of Scotland, on Wednesday called for the nation to offer “safety and sanctuary” to the people of the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to elected leaders, Yousaf called for the international community to create a global refugee program to assist Gazans.
He specifically called on the United Kingdom to create a refugee resettlement program for Gazans who want to leave.
“Scotland is willing to be the first country in the UK to offer safety and sanctuary to those who are caught up in these terrible attacks,” he said.
Yousaf also urged for the medical evacuation of injured civilians in Gaza. He said Scotland was “ready to play her part” to help treat the injured.
He noted that his brother-in-law is a doctor in Gaza.
“He tells us of scenes of absolute carnage, hospitals running out of medical supplies, doctors, nurses having to make the most difficult decision of all – who to treat and who to let die,” he said. “That can’t be allowed. Not in this day and age.”
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 18: Family and friends of those taken hostage by Hamas during their attacks of 7/10, hold a protest outside the Kirya military base on October 18, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Multiple international partners, including the United Kingdom, stand ready to assist Israeli forces to rescue hostages taken by Hamas during its terrorist attack on Oct. 7 and used as "bargaining chips," according to a report.
"The way that Hamas is holding the hostages looks like they’ve scattered them over the territory of Gaza very widely," said Justin Crump, a military veteran and chief executive of security and intelligence group Sibylline. He argued that Western nations with strong special forces capabilities should "help to get their citizens back."
At least 4,200 people have been killed since Hamas launched thousands of missiles into Israel last week, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 31 Americans. Palestinian health authorities say at least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and more than 10,950 wounded.
President Biden visited Israel on Wednesday and addressed reporters, saying that "as the American president, there is no higher priority than the release and safe return of all these hostages."
"For those who are living in limbo, waiting desperately to learn the fate of a loved one, especially to families of the hostages, you are not alone. We’re working with partners throughout the region, pursuing every avenue to bring home those who are being held captive by Hamas," he said, adding that he "can’t speak publicly" about the details of any such plans.
Hamas took around 199 Israelis hostages. Various other nations have confirmed a number of its citizens either missing or taken hostage during the attack, with 13 Americans unaccounted for and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly confirming that his government believes up to 10 British nationals are held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
The families of hostages held captive by Hamas on Wednesday slammed the Israeli government's decision to permit limited humanitarian aid into Gaza.
A statement released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said the aid would comfort "murderers and kidnappers" while the hostages suffer.
“Children, infants, women, soldiers, men, and elderly, some with serious illnesses, wounded and shot, are held underground like animals and without human conditions, and the Israeli government pampers the murderers and kidnappers with baklavas and medicines,” the statement read.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said earlier Israel will allow Egypt to deliver limited quantities of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Israel "will not thwart" deliveries of food, water and medicine, as long as the supplies to not reach Hamas, Israeli officials said.
It was not clear when the aid would start flowing. Egypt’s Rafah crossing has only a limited capacity, and Egypt says it has been damaged by Israeli airstrikes.
The Associated Press contributed to this update.
On Oct. 7, 2023, at around 6:30 in the morning, a barrage of missiles bombarded Israel.
Around the same time, terrorists paraglided into a music festival for peace. Hundreds of attendees stood alongside friends and family members dancing, singing and celebrating life at an outdoor venue decorated with music and neon lights. Within minutes, hundreds of attendees were slaughtered by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist group. Later that morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Hamas
"We hear a lot of bombs," said Laura Malo to Fox News Digital. Malo was born in Colombia but presently lives in Israel. She was one of the hundreds of innocent victims of the terrorist attack on the festival, but she, unlike so many others, narrowly escaped with her life.
Malo and her friend were aware this barrage was much more violent than the typical events of the recurring conflict between Israel and Hamas. They quickly got into her car and sped off in hopes of finding safety. Malo checked her phone for a map of anywhere they could escape to.
"I saw in the phone in the map just one way to someplace, some town," she said. "I see the doors of the kibbutz is open and I saw a soldier. When I saw the soldier, I feel saved, but this is when the soldier take the gun and start shooting us."
She expressed her inability to tell whether the soldier was in an IDF or Hamas uniform but quickly learned he was there to kill her. The soldier shot through her car again and again. Malo jolted her wheel in the opposite direction and drove away from the gunfire.
At some point, Malo was in a car accident, which led her and her friend to flee by foot. They crawled through dirt, grass, hills and valleys and located an abandoned greenhouse. The friends hid in the greenhouse for 16 hours without food and water, terrified for their lives.
"Really, actually, I feel like I’m gonna die," Malo said.
The Israeli Embassy to the United States shared a GIF from "The Matrix" in response to a declaration from Iran that Israel's "Time is OVER!"
The Embassy replied with a GIF of Neo, the main character of the seminal 1999 science fiction kung-fu film, waving "come on."
It's a message that shows Israel is prepared for a fight as the Jewish state simultaneously defends itself from Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah fighters to the north in Lebanon. Iran has previously supported both groups and called for Israel's destruction.
Iran’s foreign minister posted an ominous tweet on Wednesday that said time is "running out" for Israel. The post was made hours after a Hamas-run hospital in Gaza suffered an explosion that reportedly left hundreds dead.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian posted the tweet after Hamas blamed Israel for the blast at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where the Gaza health ministry said more than 500 were killed. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied attacking the hospital and has since investigated the blast. The IDF determined the blast was caused by a rocket misfire launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. U.S. intelligence also points to a terror group, and not Israel, as causing the explosion.
Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this post.
Calls from Capitol Hill lawmakers to freeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds reached through controversial negotiations increased this week.
Nearly 20 GOP senators are calling on the Biden administration to freeze the funds that were released to a Qatar account in exchange for five American prisoners last month.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., led a group of GOP senators on Tuesday, urging the administration to "limit Iran’s ability to provide support to Hamas."
She blamed President Biden for sending Palestine over $730 million in aid since taking office through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
"And yesterday, we learned Hamas stole aid from that group," Blackburn said. "I'll be introducing legislation to halt all funding for them until Iran is expelled from the UN and investigated for violations."
"We must permanently freeze the $6 billion ransom payment to Iran," she added. "We must halt taxpayer dollars going to the Palestinians, and we must secure our own southern border, and we must stand with Israel."
Fox News' Jamie Joseph contributed to this update.
Lebanese security forces use water cannons as they clash with protesters outside the US Embassy in Awkar east of Beirut, during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, on October 18, 2023. Thousands rallied across the Arab and Muslim world on October 18 to protest the deaths of hundreds of people in a strike on a Gaza hospital that they blame on Israel, despite its denials. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon said its staff and facilities "remain secure and undamaged" after riots broke out during a pro-Palestinian protest in Beirut.
"We are aware of protests this afternoon in Awkar in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy," said embassy spokesperson Jake Nelson. "Unfortunately, violent protesters damaged private property in the surrounding neighborhood of the embassy, but embassy personnel and facilities remain secure and undamaged."
The Embassy thanked Lebanese security forces for working to secure the area after rioters holding Palestinian flags took down a security wall and cut a barbed wire barrier on a road leading to the embassy. Riot police lobbed dozens of teargas canisters and fired water cannons to disperse the protesters in the intense standoff, the Associated Press reported.
"As noted in the U.S. travel advisory for Lebanon, U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings or protests, as some of these have turned violent," the Embassy said.
National Security expert Dr. Rebecca Grant writes in a Fox News op-ed that the Israel-Hamas war has become President Biden's "biggest national security test."
"Done right, American leadership will keep the Abraham Accords peace process on track, slam the door on Iran and prevent China from making cheap diplomatic gains," Grant writes.
She encourages Biden to dispatch military forces to the Middle East to constrain Iran and ease the flow of military supplies to Israel.
"Are you wondering if America can supply both Israel and Ukraine? The answer is yes," Grant writes.
"Israel will get advanced, precise air weapons, while Ukraine needs the artillery to keep up its offensive against Russian forces. The equipment going to Ukraine aid is "mapped out" through January 2024, said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General C.Q. Brown on Oct. 11.
"Make no mistake. Biden needs to get this one right. The Afghanistan withdrawal debacle, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Chinese military activity around Taiwan have taken their toll on America’s reputation. Not to mention the Chinese balloon. With Israel, Biden faces an immediate crisis demanding swift action with no margin for error. The risk of failure is emboldening Iran, and that’s just for starters."
The State Department has raised the travel advisory for Lebanon, urging U.S. citizens not to travel to the country "due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hizballah or other armed militant factions."
The advisory issued on Tuesday also urged people to reconsider travel to Lebanon "due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping" and the U.S. Embassy in Beirut’s "limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens." The State Department authorized the voluntary, temporary departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut due to "the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon ."
The advisory was hiked to Level 4, "Do not travel" — the highest level — from Level 3, "Reconsider travel."
The advisory notes the State Department is authorizing non-emergency staff and family members to leave the country (on a case-by-case basis), what the department refers to as an "authorized departure." Basically, the embassy is still functioning with non-essential staff allowed to leave if they want.
The embassy also posted guidance to U.S. citizens in Lebanon. It says not to travel to the border with Syria due to "terrorism and armed conflict," the border with Israel due to "the potential for armed conflict" and refugee settlements due to "the potential for armed clashes."
The State Department also warns U.S. citizens of "the risk of traveling on flights that fly over Syria, which include some flights to and from Beirut."
The embassy in Lebanon said "terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon," warning the attacks may unfold "with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities."
Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this update.
El presidente Biden reveló el miércoles que los datos que ha visto del Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos le han hecho estar seguro de que Israel no es culpable de la explosión en un hospital de la Franja de Gaza que ha dejado cientos de muertos.
Biden dijo anteriormente que la explosión que sacudió el martes el Hospital Baptista al-Ahli de la ciudad de Gaza -que Hamás afirma que fue consecuencia de un ataque aéreo israelí- fue "obra del otro equipo".
Cuando le preguntaron más tarde el miércoles qué le hacía estar tan seguro de ello, Biden dijo: "Los datos que me mostró mi departamento de defensa".
El presidente Biden llegó a Israel el miércoles, donde celebró una breve conferencia de prensa con el primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu.
En sus declaraciones, ambos dirigentes destacaron el número de muertos de la guerra, las atrocidades cometidas por Hamás y el impacto en los niños de Israel.
"Me indignó el bombardeo del hospital de ayer. Por lo que he visto, lo hizo el otro equipo. No tú", dijo Biden a Netanyahu. "Pero hay mucha gente ahí fuera que no está segura".
Fox NewsGreg Norman y Jacqui Heinrich han contribuido a esta actualización.
Israel afirmó que la Yihad Islámica Palestina (YIP), grupo terrorista islámico con sede en Gaza, es responsable del ataque aéreo que se cobró la vida de de hasta 500 palestinos en un hospital de la ciudad de Gaza.
Hamás culpó inmediatamente a Israel. En respuesta, el ejército israelí demostró que, basándose en la vigilancia y en una grabación de audio, un cohete mal disparado con intención de apuntar a Tel Aviv desde el grupo terrorista palestino causó el ataque contra el hospital baptista Al Ahli. Al-Ahli había albergado a palestinos heridos y a quienes buscaban refugio después de que Israel dijera a los residentes que huyeran de la ciudad de Gaza antes de la invasión militar.
Junto con Hamás y Hezbolá, la Yihad Islámica forma parte de una red de grupos terroristas en las fronteras de Israel que cometen actos de terrorismo. Con unos 1.000 miembros, la PIJ es la segunda, después de Hamás, en la Franja de Gaza y Cisjordania.
El grupo terrorista islámico fue fundado por Fathi Shaqaqi en 1979, según el sitio web del Director de Inteligencia Nacional (DNI). El Departamento de Estado estadounidense lo designó Organización Terrorista Extranjera en 1997. Como rama de los Hermanos Musulmanes de Egipto, la PIJ pretende establecer un Estado palestino islamista para destruir a Israel.
Con sede en Líbano, la PIJ mantiene una presencia en Gaza, Cisjordania y Siria.
El secretario general Ziyad al-Nakhalah, clasificado como Terrorista Global Especialmente Designado por el Departamento de Estado estadounidense, es el actual dirigente de la PIJ.
Fox NewsBreana Scheckwitz ha contribuido a esta actualización.
El presidente Biden hizo declaraciones el miércoles en Tel Aviv tras reunirse con el presidente israelí Isaac Herzog.
El presidente dijo que su mensaje a Israel es "no estáis solos", lo que llega en un momento en que el Estado judío libra una guerra contra Hamás por las atrocidades cometidas en un ataque sorpresa el 7 de octubre. Los terroristas mataron a más de 1.300 civiles israelíes, según el presidente, entre ellos al menos 31 ciudadanos estadounidenses.
"Decenas de inocentes, desde bebés hasta abuelos ancianos, israelíes y estadounidenses tomados como rehenes, niños masacrados, bebés masacrados, familias enteras masacradas, violadas, decapitadas, cuerpos quemados vivos. La mayoría cometieron atrocidades que recuerdan los peores estragos del ISIS, desatando sobre el mundo una maldad pura y sin adulterar. No se puede racionalizar, no se puede excusar, y punto. La brutalidad que vimos habría calado hondo en cualquier parte del mundo", dijo Biden.
Biden dijo que Estados Unidos está trabajando con socios de Oriente Medio para traer a casa a los cautivos en poder de Hamás, y afirmó: "No hay mayor prioridad que la liberación y el regreso seguro de todos estos rehenes."
El presidente también dijo que pedirá al Congreso un "paquete de apoyo sin precedentes para la defensa de Israel."
El miércoles, un violento enfrentamiento entre cientos de manifestantes propalestinos y fuerzas de seguridad frente a la embajada de Estados Unidos en Líbano dejó varios heridos.
Los alborotadores con banderas palestinas y de facciones palestinas derribaron un muro de seguridad y cortaron una barrera de alambre de espino en una carretera que conduce a la embajada. La policía antidisturbios lanzó decenas de botes de gas lacrimógeno y disparó cañones de agua para dispersar a los manifestantes en el intenso enfrentamiento, informó Associated Press.
En otro lugar, en un suburbio al sur de Beirut, el grupo islámico Hezbolá organizó una concentración en apoyo de los palestinos y criticó a Estados Unidos por su constante apoyo a Israel.
"Quizá haya llegado el momento de que los pueblos de la región declaren su palabra frente a la tiranía estadounidense", dijo Hashem Safieddine, alto cargo de Hezbolá, en un discurso pronunciado en la concentración, según AP.
Las fuerzas israelíes se han enfrentado varias veces a combatientes de Hezbolá en ciudades fronterizas del norte de Israel desde que estalló la guerra en Gaza la semana pasada.
The Associated Press contributed to this update.
El Departamento de Estado estadounidense anunció el miércoles nuevas sanciones contra 10 miembros de Hamás que han apoyado el terrorismo y permitido el brutal ataque del 7 de octubre contra Israel.
"Hoy, Estados Unidos impone sanciones a diez miembros, operativos y facilitadores financieros clave del grupo terrorista Hamás en Gaza y otros lugares. Estas personas han apoyado a Hamás y a otras organizaciones terroristas, permitiendo a Hamás llevar a cabo su brutal terrorismo y realizar actos como el despiadado ataque contra Israel", declaró en un comunicado el secretario de Estado Antony Blinken.
"Las acciones de hoy van dirigidas contra los terroristas de Hamás y su red de apoyo, no contra los palestinos. Hamás es el único responsable de la carnicería que sus militantes han infligido al pueblo de Israel, y debe liberar inmediatamente a todos los rehenes bajo su custodia. Estados Unidos no cejará en el uso de todas las herramientas a nuestro alcance para desbaratar la actividad terrorista de Hamás", declaró el secretario.
El Departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos declaró que la acción se dirige contra "miembros que gestionan activos en una cartera de inversiones secreta de Hamás, un facilitador financiero con sede en Qatar que mantiene estrechos vínculos con el régimen iraní, un comandante clave de Hamás, y una casa de cambio virtual con sede en Gaza y su operador."
"Estados Unidos está tomando medidas rápidas y decisivas contra los financiadores y facilitadores de Hamás tras su brutal e inconcebible masacre de civiles israelíes, incluidos niños", declaró la secretaria del Tesoro, Janet Yellen.
"El Tesoro estadounidense tiene un largo historial de desbaratar eficazmente la financiación del terrorismo y no dudaremos en utilizar nuestras herramientas contra Hamás. Seguiremos tomando todas las medidas necesarias para negar a los terroristas de Hamás la capacidad de recaudar y utilizar fondos para llevar a cabo atrocidades y aterrorizar al pueblo de Israel. Eso incluye la imposición de sanciones y la coordinación con aliados y socios para rastrear, congelar e incautar cualquier activo relacionado con Hamás en sus jurisdicciones", añadió.
Fox NewsBrooke Singman ha contribuido a esta actualización.
Terminal de Internet SpaceX Starlink instalada en Odesa, al sur de Ucrania. (Nina Lyashonok/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing vía Getty Images)
Israel quiere asegurarse el uso de los satélites Starlink de SpaceX como sistema de comunicaciones de reserva en medio de la guerra que está librando el país contra el grupo terrorista Hamás, con base en Gaza.
Las conversaciones entre Israel y SpaceX fueron reveladas el martes por un funcionario del gobierno y se producen mientras el presidente Biden visitaba Israel el miércoles. Israel está en guerra desde que el 7 de octubre un atentado terrorista de Hamás causó la muerte de al menos 1.400 civiles y soldados israelíes y 30 estadounidenses. Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel están preparando una incursión terrestre en Gaza y han llevado a cabo ataques que, según las autoridades sanitarias palestinas, han matado al menos a 2.800 personas.
El ministro israelí de Comunicaciones, Shlomo Karhi, escribió en un post en X que Israel está trabajando con SpaceX para adquirir terminales de comunicación por satélite Starlink, de modo que puedan funcionar en el país para mantener la conectividad a Internet.
Explicó que Starlink ayudaría a garantizar la conectividad a Internet de las ciudades situadas en zonas de conflicto de primera línea cerca de las fronteras de Israel con vecinos hostiles, como la franja de Gaza controlada por Hamás y Líbano, donde Hezbolá, respaldada por Irán, tiene una presencia significativa y ha amenazado con entrar en la guerra del lado de Hamás.
Las comunidades israelíes del sur de Israel son blanco habitual del lanzamiento de cohetes desde la Franja de Gaza y varias de ellas fueron invadidas por Hamás el 7 de octubre, con numerosos civiles muertos y al menos 199 secuestrados en Gaza como rehenes del grupo terrorista.
Eric Revell, de Fox Business, ha contribuido a esta actualización.
La policía antidisturbios se enfrentó el miércoles a manifestantes frente a la embajada de Estados Unidos en Líbano durante las manifestaciones del "Día de la Ira" contra Israel, tras una explosión en un hospital de Gaza.
En las calles de Beirut se oyeron disparos y explosiones mientras la policía intentaba dispersar los disturbios.
Cientos de personas se congregaron ante la embajada el martes por la noche después de que Hezbolá convocara un "día de ira" en respuesta a la explosión en el hospital. Las autoridades palestinas afirmaron que un ataque aéreo israelí contra el hospital había matado a 500 personas. Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel refutaron la afirmación con pruebas de audio que, según ellas, demostraban que un misil de la Yihad Islámica Palestina había disparado mal y había alcanzado el hospital.
El martes se desplegaron gases lacrimógenos cerca de la embajada. Una fuente dijo a Fox News Digital que unas 1.000 personas, entre ellas partidarios de Hezbolá, acudieron a la embajada de EE. UU. en Beirut tras el impacto de un cohete.
Los manifestantes arrojaron piedras y cócteles molotov en las manifestaciones, lo que provocó un incendio cerca de la embajada estadounidense en Beirut.
Fox NewsAdam Sabes ha contribuido a este artículo.
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO, VATICANO - 18 DE OCTUBRE: El Papa Francisco habla durante su audiencia general semanal en la Plaza de San Pedro de la Ciudad del Vaticano, el 18 de octubre de 2023. (Foto de Pablo Esparza/Anadolu vía Getty Images)
El Papa Francisco instó el miércoles al mundo a tomar "un solo partido" en la guerra entre Israel y Hamás, el de "la paz", al convocar una jornada especial de oración en el Vaticano para la próxima semana.
Francisco, dirigiéndose a su audiencia semanal, dijo: "La guerra no resuelve ningún problema, sólo siembra muerte y destrucción, aumenta el odio, multiplica la venganza. La guerra borra el futuro", según Reuters.
"Insto a los creyentes a que tomen un solo partido en este conflicto, el de la paz, pero no con palabras, sino con la oración y la entrega total", habría añadido.
Francisco también dijo que el próximo viernes, 27 de octubre, será "un día de ayuno, oración y penitencia" en la Basílica de San Pedro y pidió que se hagan todos los esfuerzos posibles "para evitar una catástrofe humanitaria", informa Reuters.
La semana pasada, Francisco afirmó ante su audiencia que Israel tiene derecho a defenderse, pero puso en duda que la violencia resolviera el conflicto.
"Quienes son atacados tienen derecho a defenderse", dijo el Papa, "pero am estoy muy preocupado por el asedio total bajo el que viven los palestinos en Gaza, donde también ha habido muchas víctimas inocentes."
Fox NewsGreg Norman ha contribuido a esta actualización.
El presidente Biden se encuentra en Israel el miércoles para una misión destinada a evitar que la guerra entre Israel y Hamás se convierta en un conflicto regional.
El presidente se reunió con los primeros intervinientes israelíes, que le dieron las gracias por mostrar el apoyo inquebrantable de Estados Unidos a Israel en estos momentos de crisis. Tras hablar con ellos, Biden y el secretario de Estado estadounidense, Antony Blinken, hicieron sendos comentarios.
El presidente reiteró su apoyo inequívoco a Israel. "No hace falta ser judío para ser sionista", dijo Biden.
Blinken dijo que Israel es una "nación unida, sí, en el dolor, pero también unida en la determinación".
14 de octubre de 2023, Líbano, Beirut: El ministro iraní de Asuntos Exteriores, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, se dirige a los periodistas durante su conferencia de prensa en la embajada iraní en Beirut. Foto: Marwan Naamani/dpa (Foto de Marwan Naamani/picture alliance vía Getty Images)
El ministro iraní de Asuntos Exteriores, Hossein Amirabdollahian, declaró el miércoles: "Se acabó el tiempo" para Israel, en un ominoso mensaje publicado en X.
"Tras el terrible crimen del régimen sionista en el bombardeo y masacre de más de 1.000 mujeres y niños inocentes en el hospital, ha llegado el momento de la unidad global de la humanidad contra este falso régimen más odiado que el ISIS y su máquina de matar", escribió Amirabdollahian.
La embajada iraní en Siria también publicó "se acabó el tiempo" tanto en hebreo como en árabe, informó el New York Post.
Las declaraciones se produjeron después de que Hamás culpara a Israel de una explosión en un hospital de Gaza en la que murieron hasta 500 personas el martes, según el Ministerio de Sanidad palestino. Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel han afirmado que un cohete de la Yihad Islámica palestina disparó mal y causó la explosión, y han publicado pruebas de audio que respaldan su conclusión.
El presidente Biden dijo al primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, que había revisado las pruebas que sugerían que Israel no era responsable de la explosión.
"Me indignó el bombardeo del hospital de ayer. Por lo que he visto, lo hizo el otro equipo. No tú", dijo Biden a Netanyahu. "Pero hay mucha gente ahí fuera que no está segura".
El ministro iraní de Asuntos Exteriores, Hossein Amirabdollahian, pidió el miércoles a los países islámicos que expulsaran a los embajadores israelíes e impusieran a Israel un embargo de petróleo y otras sanciones.
Los miembros de la Organización para la Cooperación Islámica (OCI) se reúnen en Yeda (Arabia Saudí) para debatir la guerra entre Israel y Hamás después de que una explosión sacudiera un hospital de Gaza, matando, según informes, a un gran número de palestinos.
"El ministro de Asuntos Exteriores pide un embargo inmediato y completo a Israel por parte de los países islámicos, incluidas sanciones petroleras, además de expulsar a los embajadores israelíes si se han establecido relaciones con el régimen sionista", declaró el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores iraní en un comunicado.
Amirabdollahian también pidió la formación de un equipo de juristas islámicos para documentar posibles crímenes de guerra cometidos por Israel en Gaza.
Irán no mantiene relaciones diplomáticas con Israel, al que califica de "régimen sionista", y sus dirigentes supremos tienen un largo historial de declaraciones antiisraelíes y antisemitas en las que piden la destrucción del Estado judío.
Reuters ha contribuido a esta actualización.
El director del Hospital Al Ahli de Gaza hizo un llamamiento urgente para que se ponga fin a la guerra entre Israel y Hamás tras una mortífera explosión ocurrida allí el martes por la noche.
Suhaila Tarazi dijo a Associated Press que las espeluznantes escenas que encontró tras la explosión no se parecían "a nada que haya visto o pueda imaginar". No se encontraba en el hospital en el momento de la explosión, pero describió partes de cuerpos de niños esparcidos por el hospital y el patio.
"Nuestro hospital es un lugar de amor y reconciliación", dijo Tarazi. "Todos somos perdedores en esta guerra. Y debe terminar".
Tarazi no pudo confirmar ni desmentir la cifra de muertos comunicada por el Ministerio de Sanidad, dirigido por Hamás, de al menos 500 víctimas. "Podría ser más, podría ser menos. Hay tantas partes del cuerpo que nadie puede decirlo realmente".
Hamás atribuyó la explosión a un ataque aéreo israelí. Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel rebatieron esa afirmación, señalando pruebas que, según ellas, demostraban que los cohetes disparados por la Yihad Islámica fallaron y alcanzaron el complejo hospitalario.
The Associated Press contributed to this update.
La policía investiga el incidente ocurrido en la sinagoga Kahal Adass Jisroel de Berlín, Alemania, el miércoles 18 de octubre. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Una sinagoga de Berlín ha sido supuestamente atacada el miércoles por individuos que arrojaron contra ella dos cócteles molotov, en lo que un grupo judío alemán califica de "ataque terrorista."
El incidente de la comunidad Kahal Adass Jisroel suscitó una enérgica condena del canciller alemán, Olaf Scholz, quien declaró: "Nunca aceptaremos que se cometan atentados contra instituciones judías."
"Desconocidos lanzaron dos cócteles molotov desde la calle", escribió Kahal Adass Jisroel en X.
La policía dijo que estaba investigando "un intento de incendio grave" en el que dos personas se acercaron a pie a la sinagoga a las 3.45 h y lanzaron dos cócteles molotov, que estallaron en la acera junto al edificio. Las dos personas, con la cara cubierta, huyeron.
"Todos estamos conmocionados por este atentado terrorista", declaró el Consejo Central de los Judíos en un comunicado. "Sobre todo, las familias del barrio que rodea la sinagoga están conmocionadas e inquietas. Las palabras se convierten en hechos. La ideología de exterminio de Hamás contra todo lo judío también está teniendo efecto en Alemania."
Un par de horas más tarde, cuando la policía investigaba el incidente, un hombre de 30 años se acercó a la sinagoga en una moto, la tiró a un lado e intentó correr hacia el edificio. Cuando los agentes de policía lo detuvieron, se resistió y gritó consignas antiisraelíes.
El Kahal Adass Jisroel publicó un vídeo en X en el que supuestamente se veía a policías alemanes sujetando a una persona en el suelo.
Fox News' Greg Norman y Associated Press contribuyeron a esta actualización.
El asesor de seguridad nacional de Israel predijo el martes la "implicación" de Estados Unidos en la escalada de la guerra entre Israel y Hamás si Irán y Hezbolá se unen para luchar junto a Hamás.
Tzachi Hanegbi, jefe del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional de Israel, hizo estos comentarios durante una sesión informativa televisada, señalando la advertencia pública del presidente Biden a Hezbolá e Irán para que se mantengan al margen de los combates y el despliegue de grupos de ataque de portaaviones de la Armada estadounidense en el Mediterráneo oriental.
"Está dejando claro a nuestros enemigos que si se les ocurre tomar parte en la ofensiva contra los ciudadanos de Israel, aquí habrá participación estadounidense", dijo Hanegbi sobre el apoyo de Biden.
"Israel no estará solo. ... Una fuerza estadounidense está aquí y está preparada", añadió, sin dar más detalles, según Reuters.
El Pentágono ha dicho que no se han desplegado tropas estadounidenses y no ha señalado que se vayan a enviar tropas estadounidenses al campo de batalla.
El lunes, el Departamento de Defensa estadounidense emitió órdenes de "estar preparados para el despliegue" de 2.000 soldados, aunque dijo que no se había tomado ninguna decisión de desplegar fuerzas por el momento. Altos funcionarios hicieron hincapié en que estas tropas estadounidenses se utilizarían en funciones de asesoramiento y proporcionarían apoyo médico a las fuerzas israelíes.
Fox NewsStephen Sorace ha contribuido a esta actualización.
El presidente Biden se encuentra en Israel en una muestra de apoyo al aliado más cercano de Estados Unidos en Oriente Medio y en una misión para evitar que el conflicto con Hamás se convierta en una guerra regional.
En declaraciones tras reunirse con el gabinete de guerra israelí, Biden dijo que el ataque sorpresa de Hamás contra Israel fue "brutal, inhumano" y "casi increíble".
"No estáis solos", dijo el presidente. "Seguiremos respaldando a Israel mientras trabajáis para defender a vuestro pueblo. Seguiremos trabajando contigo y con los socios de toda la región para evitar más tragedias."
Citando a los fundadores de Israel, Biden dijo que el Estado judío estaba "basado en la libertad, la justicia y la paz".
"Estados Unidos está con vosotros en defensa de esa libertad, en pos de esa justicia y en apoyo de esa paz hoy, mañana y siempre, os lo prometemos".
El presidente y el primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu no aceptaron preguntas de la prensa.
CIUDAD DE GAZA, GAZA - 18 DE OCTUBRE: Vista interior de la Capilla de San Felipe del Hospital Bautista Al-Ahli Arabi tras ser alcanzada en la Ciudad de Gaza, Gaza, el 18 de octubre de 2023. (Foto de Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu vía Getty Images)
El ministro británico de Asuntos Exteriores, James Cleverly, reprendió a quienes se apresuraron a culpar a Israel de la explosión en el hospital Al Ahli, declarando: "demasiados sacaron conclusiones precipitadas en torno a la trágica pérdida de vidas en el hospital Al Ahli."
"Equivocarse en esto pondría aún más vidas en peligro", escribió Cleverly en X. "Espera a los hechos, informa de ellos con claridad y precisión".
"Debe prevalecer la cabeza fría", añadió.
Un ataque con cohetes contra un hospital de Gaza dejó al menos 500 muertos, según informaron las autoridades palestinas. Hamás dijo que la explosión fue consecuencia de un ataque aéreo israelí. Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel culparon del ataque a la Yihad Islámica.
Tras una investigación, las FDI facilitaron sus conclusiones sobre el origen del ataque aéreo.
"Un análisis de los sistemas operativos de las FDI indica que los terroristas de Gaza lanzaron una andanada de cohetes que pasaron muy cerca del hospital [baptista] Al Ahli de Gaza en el momento en que fue alcanzado", declararon funcionarios de las FDI. "La información de múltiples fuentes que tenemos en nuestras manos indica que la Yihad Islámica es responsable del lanzamiento fallido del cohete que alcanzó el hospital de Gaza".
El presidente Biden mantuvo una breve reunión pública con el primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu poco después de llegar al país, en una histórica muestra de apoyo en tiempo de guerra al aliado de Estados Unidos desde hace mucho tiempo.
Durante su conversación, Biden abordó la explosión mortal en un hospital de Gaza que las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel atribuyeron a un cohete mal disparado de la Yihad Islámica Palestina, después de que Hamás culpara del ataque a Israel.
"Me indignó el bombardeo del hospital de ayer. Por lo que he visto, lo hizo el otro equipo. No tú", dijo Biden a Netanyahu. "Pero hay mucha gente ahí fuera que no está segura".
Los comentarios de Biden sobre el ataque al hospital, que dejó más de 500 muertos, marcan la primera vez que Estados Unidos asigna culpas.
Ambos abandonaron la conferencia sin responder a ninguna pregunta. Biden tiene previsto reunirse en privado con dirigentes israelíes durante su breve viaje al Estado judío.
Fox News Lawrence Richard, de Digital, ha contribuido a esta actualización.
El Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de Israel publicó una foto tomada por el radar de las FDI que muestra la trayectoria del cohete mal disparado que mató a cientos de personas en un hospital de Gaza. (Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel)
El portavoz de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel, contralmirante Daniel Hagari, ofreció una conferencia de prensa el miércoles por la mañana para intentar demostrar que la explosión mortal en el hospital Al Ahli Arab de Gaza fue causada por el grupo terrorista palestino Yihad Islámica, y no por Israel.
Las IDF llevaron a cabo una revisión posterior a la acción con todas las ramas relevantes tras la explosión mortal que dejó al menos 500 muertos el martes por la noche, dijo Hagari. La revisión reveló que Hamás lanzó una andanada de cohetes contra Israel a las 18.15 hora local, a lo que siguió el lanzamiento de unos diez cohetes por parte de la Yihad Islámica aproximadamente 45 minutos después.
Se determinó que uno de los cohetes lanzados por la Yihad Islámica falló al disparar y continuó su vuelo hacia tierra hasta impactar dentro del recinto del hospital, dijo Hagari, quien añadió que los servicios de inteligencia capturaron a dos terroristas de Hamás que hablaban del lanzamiento fallido.
Esa conversación entre ambos fue hecha pública por las FDI el miércoles por la mañana y traducida al inglés. Se oye a los dos hombres reconocer el error de disparo cuando uno dice "dicen que pertenece a la Yihad Islámica Palestina", y que la metralla parece ser local, no de los israelíes.
Luego empiezan a discutir cómo se dispararon los cohetes desde un cementerio situado detrás del hospital, que es lo que Hagari dijo que se determinó en la revisión basada en el análisis de la trayectoria.
Hagari también dijo que las FDI han contabilizado aproximadamente 450 cohetes que han fallado y disparado dentro de Gaza desde el 7 de octubre, y añadió que "los palestinos pagan el precio".
Fox NewsTrey Yingst informó de que los israelíes han negado sistemáticamente la autoría del atentado.
"Los hechos sobre el terreno, lo que podemos informar, los israelíes han proporcionado tanto pruebas de drones como imágenes, vídeos y han proporcionado llamadas telefónicas interceptadas que indican que se trataba de un cohete de la Yihad Islámica que falló al disparar", declaró Yingst.
Yingst señaló que Hamás mantiene su afirmación inicial de que los israelíes son responsables de los cientos de muertos en el hospital.
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