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October 18, 2023diplomaticIsrael Hamas warMiddle East policywartime diplomacyhumanitarian aiddiplomatic

Biden makes wartime visit to Tel Aviv pledges US support after Hamas attack

President Biden travels to Tel Aviv, Israel, eleven days after Hamas's October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. It is a rare wartime presidential visit to a country not protected by US troops. Biden meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet, pledges firm US military and political support for Israel, and announces an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza. In a joint press conference, Biden also cautions Israel not to be "consumed by rage" and warns against the mistakes the US made after 9/11. He flies to Amman, Jordan next to meet with King Abdullah and Egyptian President al-Sisi, a summit that collapses when the Palestinian Authority withdraws following an explosion at Al-Ahli hospital that Gaza officials blame on Israel.