Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – President of the United States (US) Joe Biden made a surprising statement. He said any move by Israel to reoccupy the Gaza Strip would be a “big mistake”.

He emphasized this in an interview released on Sunday local time as published AFP, Monday (16/10/2023). The 80-year-old President made this statement in the midst of preparations for Israeli troops to carry out a ground attack on the region.

When asked by a news program CBS 60 Minutes whether he would support any occupation of Gaza by America’s ally Israel, Biden responded “I think that would be a big mistake”. However, he stressed that Hamas, which currently controls the Gaza region, “does not represent the entire Palestinian people”.

He also agreed with efforts to “eliminate Hamas”. When asked again whether Hamas should be eliminated, Biden said “yes”.

“But there must be a Palestinian authority. There must be a path to a Palestinian state,” he continued, repeating the long-standing US call for a two-state solution.

On the other hand, Biden emphasized to the same journalist that the US would not get involved in Hamas and Israel’s war. He said Israel has the world’s best fighting force.

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” he stressed.

“Israel has one of the best fighting forces in the country. I guarantee we will provide everything they need,” Biden said again.

The US has deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean to show its strong support for Israel. England also did the same thing last week.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(sef/sef)