(The Sydney Morning Herald, 26/10/2023)
By Farrah Tomazin
US President Joe Biden says he has no confidence in the death toll Palestinians are using in Gaza, noting that innocent people being killed is the price of waging a war.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House, Biden also said he had not demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold off on a ground invasion in Gaza until Hamas releases hostages, but had told the leader “that if that’s possible to get these folks out safely that’s what he should do.”
The president was speaking during a state visit by the Australian Prime Minister, and as Israel stepped up bombings of south Gaza, killing many Palestinians, according to officials there.
Asked by a reporter whether the latest figures from the Hamas controlled Gaza health ministry – which claims Israeli forces have killed over 6000 Palestinians, including 2700 children – were a sign that Israel was ignoring calls to minimise casualties, Biden replied: “I have no notion of Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed.”
“I’m sure innocents have been killed and it’s the price of waging a war. I think we – not we, Israel – should be incredibly careful to be sure that they’re going after the folks who are propagating this war against Israel, and it’s against their interests when it doesn’t happen. But I have no confidence in the number the Palestinians are using.”
The president also reiterated calls for both sides to think about the way forward in the region once the Gaza crisis is resolved.
“Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live side by side in safety, dignity and in peace,” said Biden.