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Israelis can make their own decisions: Biden on ground invasion of Gaza
Amidst reports of an imminent ground invasion of Gaza by Israel, President Joe Biden has said that Israel can make its own decisions, as the US firmly backs its ally while urging caution.
Biden made the comment on Tuesday in response to a question while posing for a picture with the visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Are you urging Israel to delay its ground invasion?” Biden was asked, to which he replied, “The Israelis can make their own decisions.”
Last week, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant laid out the Jewish nation's plan to change the “security regime" in Gaza – implying Hamas' removal – and said the plan was designed in three stages. Gallant said that the Israeli Defence Forces (IFD) was in the plan's first stage when it was carrying out aerial strikes. It will be followed by ground incursion and finally, the change of security regime in Gaza, he said.
Israeli defence forces urges Gaza residents to reveal location of hostages
With around 220 hostages said to be in Hamas’ captivity, the Israeli military on social media platform X has urged residents of Gaza Strip to give the whereabouts of the hostages.
While assuring that the identity of the informers will be kept confidential, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has offered money to those who provide accurate information on the location of the hostages.
“If your will is to live in peace and have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area,” the IDF said in the post.