President Biden Urges Israelis to Avoid Mistakes Made by the US Following 9/11 in Response to Hamas Attacks

President Joe Biden has urged Israelis to avoid repeating the mistakes the United States made following the 9/11 attacks in their own response to the Hamas attacks that have reportedly left at least 1,400 Israelis dead since October 7. This warning comes after weeks of analogies comparing the deadliest single-day attacks on both the United States and Israel, with Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, calling the Hamas attack “our 9/11.”

The weight of evidence points to an errant rocket from within Gaza as the source of a hospital blast late on October 17 that killed hundreds of people in war-torn Gaza, sparking global condemnation and angry protests around the Muslim world. During a speech in Israel, President Biden cautioned Israelis to not be consumed by rage, saying “while we sought justice and got justice, we also made mistakes.”

Israel and Palestinians have traded blame for the incident, which President Biden denounced while en route to the Middle East. The United States has urged both sides to de-escalate the conflict and return to the negotiating table.

The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the incident, and has urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians. The United Nations Security Council has also called for an immediate ceasefire and for both sides to take steps to prevent further violence.

The situation in Israel and Palestine remains tense, and the international community is watching closely for any signs of progress towards a peaceful resolution. President Biden has made it clear that the United States will continue to work with both sides to find a lasting solution to the conflict.