Biden says reported firing on Gaza food line will complicate truce talks
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US President Joe Biden speaking to journalists before boarding Marine One at the White House in Washington.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden said on Feb 29 that the United States was checking reports of Israeli troops firing on people waiting for food aid in Gaza,
“I know it will,” Mr Biden told reporters when asked whether the incident would complicate negotiations.
The health authorities in Gaza said Israeli fire on people waiting for aid near Gaza City on Feb 29 had killed 104 Palestinians and wounded 280, with one hospital saying it had received 10 bodies and dozens of injured patients.
“We’re checking that out right now,” Mr Biden said as he left the White House for a trip.
“There are two competing versions of what happened. I don’t have an answer yet.”
He also said a temporary ceasefire probably would not happen by March 4, as he had earlier predicted.
“I was on the telephone with the people in the region. Probably not by Monday, but I’m hopeful,” Mr Biden said.
Israel and Hamas as well as Qatari mediators all sounded notes of caution this week about progress towards a truce in Gaza, where the health authorities say more than 30,000 people have been killed
The war began when Hamas sent fighters into Israel
