The president of the USA Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he had told Israel’s prime minister that if it was possible to secure the release of the hostages in Gaza before the ground operation, he should do so. Biden made it clear, however, that he didn’t ask him Benjamin Netanyahu assurances that he will postpone the ground operation while the hostages remain.

“What I’ve indicated to him is that if it’s possible to get these people out safely, he should do it,” Biden said. “It’s their decision, but I didn’t ask for it” he clarified, in the framework of the visit to the White House of the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanisi.

“Obviously, they (the hostages) are in danger,” Biden continued. “The question is whether or not there is a way to get them out. If we can get them out, we should get them out.”

Biden also noted that he has no confidence in the data on civilian deaths provided by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, but added that it was imperative that Israel focus on targeting Hamas leaders.

“I have no idea that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are being killed,” Biden said. “I’m sure innocents have been killed and that’s the price of waging war.”

Israel must be “incredibly careful to make sure it focuses on going after the people who are promoting this war against Israel,” and not civilians, he said.

Biden commented that Israel has a “responsibility” to respond to Hamas attacks, but must protect civilian lives. He also emphasized that humanitarian aid must be directed more quickly to Gaza, and added that he was troubled by attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank by “extremist settlers”.

He scolded the Israeli settlers in the West Bank for their attacks on Palestinians saying they were “adding fuel to the fire”.

“The Israelis and the Palestinians deserve it to live together in safety, dignity and peace”, the US president pointed out. “There is no going back to the status quo as it was on October 6th. This means that Hamas can no longer terrorize Israel and use Palestinian civilians as human shields. It also means that when this crisis is over, there must be a vision of what comes next.”

“In our view, this has to be a two-state solution and it means a concerted effort by all parties, Israelis, Palestinians, regional partners, world leaders, to put us on a path to peace,” Biden said.

The president said it was critical to remember that Hamas does not represent the Palestinians, but said the use of human shields made Israel’s task more difficult.

“Hamas is hiding behind the Palestinians civilians and they are despicable and – not surprisingly – cowardly as well,” he said. “This also burdens Israel. While they are going after Hamas, that does not diminish the need to operate according to the laws of war.”

“Israel must do everything in its power … however difficult it may be, to protect innocent civilians,” he said.

Biden said he believed a factor in Hamas’ decision to attack was his diplomatic efforts. to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. “I don’t have proof of that, but my gut tells me it’s because of the progress we’re making toward Israel’s regional integration and regional integration as a whole, and we can’t let that work fall behind,” he said.

“My warning to the Ayatollah is that if they continue to move against these (US) troops in the region, we will answer. And they should be prepared” Biden also warned.