Joe Biden, briefly interrupted during a speech by protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, said Monday he was working “discreetly” to have Israel “significantly reduce” its presence in Palestinian territory.
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“I understand the enthusiasm,” the American president assured from a church in Charleston (South), as the demonstrators were escorted outside, while the rest of the audience chanted “Four more years!” Four more years!” in support of the 81-year-old Democrat, who is running for a second term.
Joe Biden spoke at Mother Emanuel Church, where nine people, a pastor and eight black parishioners, were killed by a white supremacist in 2015, in one of the worst recent racist killings in the United States.
“If you really care about the lives lost here, then you should… demand a ceasefire in Palestine,” one protester shouted.
The American president, a staunch supporter of Israel, has so far refused to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, believing it would primarily benefit Hamas.
However, the American government is trying to achieve de-escalation in Gaza and prevent the conflict from spreading to Lebanon.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, a movement designated as terrorist by the United States and the European Union, following its unprecedented attack on its territory on October 7, which killed around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to a count based on AFP. were killed Israeli assessment.
About 250 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, including about 100 who were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during a ceasefire in late November. In total, 132 are still being held hostage by various Palestinian armed groups.
According to a recent Hamas report on Monday, Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip claimed 23,084 lives, mostly women and minors.