Biden Asserts He Did Not Request Israel to Postpone Ground Invasion of Gaza

President Biden has stated that he did not pressure Israel to delay a planned ground invasion of Gaza to allow for the release of more hostages and the delivery of aid to the Hamas-controlled territory. Speaking during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the White House Rose Garden, Biden recommended caution but clarified that he did not advocate for a delay. He noted that the decision on when to launch a ground assault on Gaza lies with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden emphasized that his suggestion to Netanyahu was to prioritize the safe extraction of individuals, but he did not demand a delay.

When questioned about his decision not to press for a delay, considering the endangerment of American hostages, Biden acknowledged the precarious situation they are in. He explained that if there is a way to safely extract them, it should be done. Previously, the White House has refrained from publicly commenting on whether the United States had requested a postponement of the invasion after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Various news outlets have reported that the White House did request a delay, but the administration’s national security spokesperson, John Kirby, stated that discussions with Israel have focused on the country’s objectives in responding to Hamas’ attack, including addressing potential unintended consequences of a larger military operation.