Share this @internewscast.com

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “outraged and heartbroken” by the killing of seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers, delivering some of his strongest criticism of Israel since the start of its war with Hamas.

“This conflict has been one of the worst in recent memory in terms of how many aid workers have been killed,” Biden said in a statement. “This is a major reason why distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza has been so difficult — because Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians.

“Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen. Israel has also not done enough to protect civilians,” he added.

On Monday, an Israeli airstrike killed seven humanitarian workers from the relief organization World Central Kitchen, including a dual U.S. citizen. More than 200 aid workers have been killed in the war since it began on Oct. 7, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday.

Biden added that he would “continue to press Israel to do more to facilitate” humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

The president’s statement — his first comments about the aid workers who were killed Monday — comes as he faces growing criticism from progressives, Arab Americans and Muslims over his handling of the war. Some critics have urged Americans to “abandon Biden” at the ballot box or vote “uncommitted” in primaries to protest the administration’s actions.

Criticism of Biden’s handling of the war has been especially stark in states like Michigan, a swing state that has a large Arab American population. It could be critical part of a path to the White House. Biden won Michigan narrowly in 2020, while Donald Trump won it narrowly in 2016.

Earlier Tuesday, Biden called José Andrés, the high-profile chef who founded World Central Kitchen, “to express that he’s heartbroken,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a daily briefing.

World Central Kitchen announced that it was pausing aid efforts in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces had “unintentionally hit innocent people,” adding that “we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again.”

More than 32,900 people have died in Gaza since the war began, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. About 1,200 people in Israel were killed on Oct. 7, according to the Israeli government. About 240 Israelis were kidnapped, and Israel has said that more than 100 hostages remain in Gaza.

Biden has previously criticized Israel’s handling of the war and said more needs to be done to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.

When one of his speeches was interrupted last week by pro-Palestinian protesters, Biden said “they have a point,” adding that “we need to get a lot more care into Gaza.”

Biden has also supported public rebukes of Netanyahu. After Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., delivered a speech last month sharply criticizing Netanyahu and calling for new elections in Israel, Biden praised the remarks.

“He made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans,” he told reporters.

Separately, Biden said in an MSNBC interview last month that he believed that Netanyahu was “hurting Israel more than helping Israel.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Immigrant rights group calls for removing pregnant women from detention

Advocacy Group Urges Release of Expectant Mothers from Detention Facilities

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Pregnant women detained by U.S. immigration authorities…
Illegal immigrant trucker accused in fatal California crash released by Biden admin after 2022 border crossing

Immigrant Trucker Involved in Fatal California Accident Released by Biden Administration Following 2022 Border Entry

A 21-year-old man from India, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022…
Mother of baby abandoned at Penn Station in New York City arrested in Queens

Queens Authorities Arrest Mother of Baby Found Abandoned at Penn Station, NYC

NEW YORK — The mother of an infant girl discovered abandoned at…
Feds say 14 arrested during chaotic immigration sweep that sparked protests on NYC's Canal Street

14 Arrested in Turbulent NYC Immigration Raid Amid Canal Street Protests, Say Feds

NEW YORK (AP) — An immigration raid on Manhattan’s bustling Canal Street…
Baby humpback whale meets tragic end off New Jersey coast in suspected propeller strike

Tragic Loss: Young Humpback Whale Falls Victim to Suspected Propeller Accident off New Jersey Coast

A young humpback whale, found stranded near Long Beach Island, New Jersey,…
Riverside Church responds to Pride flag vandalism with even more flags

Riverside Church Amplifies Support with Increased Pride Flags Following Vandalism Incident

On October 20, a distressing incident occurred at Riverside Church located at…
Dad finds 13-year-old son dead after 200-foot fall from bluff inside popular National Park site

Tragic National Park Accident: Father Discovers Son’s Fatal 200-Foot Fall

In a heart-wrenching incident in Arkansas over the weekend, a father discovered…
Cheerleader dies after being shot at high school bonfire, remembered for having 'spunk to her step'

Tragic Loss: Beloved Cheerleader Fatally Shot at High School Bonfire, Celebrated for Her Spirited Legacy

Tragedy struck a high school gathering in Pinson, Alabama, when a young…
Vladimir Kramnik: Former world chess champion may face discipline for treatment of Daniel Naroditsky

Controversy Strikes: Vladimir Kramnik’s Conduct Under Scrutiny in Daniel Naroditsky Dispute

On Wednesday, the global chess governing authority announced it is contemplating disciplinary…
Porta-potty peep scheme busted as man faces nearly 100 charges for filming students: police

Man Arrested for Allegedly Filming Students in Porta-Potties, Faces Extensive List of Charges

An Iowa resident is facing close to 100 charges after authorities discovered…
Five Points businesses recovering after break-ins

Five Points Businesses Rebound Following Recent Break-Ins

Pattaya Thai is among several businesses in Five Points grappling with the…
Luigi Mangione claims he was beaten by seven 'ladyboys' in Thailand months before CEO killing: report

Shocking Twist: Luigi Mangione Alleges Assault by ‘Ladyboys’ in Thailand Before High-Profile CEO Murder

Luigi Mangione, once a promising Ivy League student, is now embroiled in…