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  • 27 Dec, 2024

No genocide in Gaza – Biden

No genocide in Gaza – Biden

The US leader vowed to "always stand with Israel."

US President Joe Biden denied claims that Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip could be described as genocide, speaking in West Jerusalem as he hosted a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House. reiterated Washington's support for

On Monday, Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC),  announced that  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, and IsmailIt was announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for defendant Haniya. "War crimes and crimes against humanity.

"In a speech at the White House later that day, Biden condemned the ICC's move and a separate assertion by the United Nations International Court of Justice that Israel's actions in Gaza amounted to genocide.

"Let me be clear: contrary to the International Court of Justice's claims against Israel, what is happening is not genocide," Biden said. "We reject that."

The Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. The Israeli government responded with a major military operation in Gaza that has left more than 35,000 dead and nearly 80,000 wounded, according to the Palestinian exclave's health ministry. Israel has vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas is completely eliminated. 

"We stand with Israel in its efforts to eliminate Sinwar and the remaining Hamas butchers," Biden said  Monday. "We want Hamas defeated." We worked with Israel to achieve this. ”

In January,  the International Court of Justice ordered the United Nations Supreme Court in The Hague, Israel, to take steps to prevent genocide and improve humanitarian conditions for residents of the Gaza Strip. The lawsuit, filed by South Africa late last year, accuses West Jerusalem of committing systematic war crimes in the Palestinian territories.

Ireland announced in March that it supported the Pretoria incident, calling Israel's actions in Gaza a "clear breach of international humanitarian law on a massive scale." Last week, Egypt  called on Israel to "fulfill its obligations as an occupying power."