Israel-Hamas war: Biden compares Hamas to Putin

US President Joe Biden laid out his vision for asking Congress to provide more financial support backing Israel's fight against Hamas militants, along with Ukraine's defense against Russia.

In a speech behind the Resolute Desk, Biden said he won't let "terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin win." 

If international aggression is allowed to continue, Biden said, "conflict and chaos could spread in other parts of the world."

"Hamas and Putin represent different threats," Biden said. "But they share this in common. They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy." 

Biden will present a request for a $100 billion (€94 billion) emergency aid package to Congress on Friday. The big portion of the funding, according to media reports, is for Ukraine's war efforts against Russia.

Other parts of the package include funds for Israel's fight against Hamas and defense in the Indo-Pacific region.

"It's a smart investment, that's going to pay dividends for American security for generations," Biden said in his speech.

He said it was "vital for America's national security" for Israel and Ukraine to succeed.

At the same time, Biden denounced a rise in hate crimes, given the particularly volatile situation in the Middle East.

"We reject all forms of hate," Biden said, whether that was against Jews or Muslims.

Biden's speech came a day after he visited Israel, where he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Biden has reiterated US commitment to Israeli security and underlined the need to ensure humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza Strip.

In Israel, he secured the cooperation of Israel and Egypt to allow aid to enter Gaza and pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid.

Baerbock announces €50 million in aid for civilians in Gaza

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has announced an additional €50 million ($52.9 million) funding package for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Germany was also preparing to send medical teams to the strip, which has been under siege by Israel for almost two weeks.

Israel has vowed to stamp out the Hamas militant group — deemed a terrorist group by the EU, US and others  — that rules the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas militants breaching border defenses and killing more than 1,400 Israeli civilians and troops on October 7.

After the terrorist attacks, Israel imposed what it called a "siege" on Gaza, and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave has become dire, as aid groups await access to deliver basic supplies.

Baerbock announced the aid package in Jordan, the first stop in her tour of the region. She goes to Israel early Friday morning and flies to Beirut, Lebanon, the same day.

The aim of her tour, she said, was to express "unwavering solidarity" with Israel and to help ensure Palestinians secure access to aid.

"Our message is clear," she said at the news conference in Amman, "We don't abandon the innocent Palestinian mothers, fathers and children."

Baerbock also reiterated support for Israel, saying Israel has the "right to defend itself against Hamas terror" and accused Hamas of holding captives as "human shields" in the war.

Baerbock was earlier in Israel on October 13 to underscore Germany's solidarity.  

UN hopes for flow of aid into Gaza via Rafah crossing

The United Nations is hoping badly needed aid will begin flowing into the blockaded Gaza Strip on Friday, after US President Joe Biden announced a deal with his Egyptian counterpart to allow a first batch of 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

Gaza has been under heavy Israeli bombardment since Hamas militants carried out the deadly October 7 terror attacks, where over 1,400 Israelis were killed. 

UN agencies are expected to help oversee the arrival of aid into the strip alongside the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent societies. This is to ensure the aid reaches civilians, rather than combatants.

Trucks are due to enter via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the only crossing into Gaza that Israel does not control.

The crossing has not been operational since the October 7 attacks. Cairo has said this is due to Israel's bombardment of the Palestinian side.

Egyptian media shared late on Thursday images purportedly showing barriers installed earlier at the crossing being cleared out, in apparent preparation for its opening.

Gaza has been running out of essential supplies of food, potable water and fuel, as Israel tightened its blockade after the October 7 attacks.

Biden to give White House address on Israel-Hamas conflict

President Joe Biden is set to deliver a rare Oval Office address explaining why he thinks it's crucial for Israel to win the war against the Hamas militant group to the American public. Hamas is deemed a terrorist organization by the US, Germany, Israel and other countries. 

Biden is seeking a hefty aid package to support Israel in its war against Hamas, deepening American involvement in an unpredictable situation.

The speech will be an opportunity for Biden to argue the United States has an obligation — and a national security interest — in the war.

It's also a chance for him to publicly lobby lawmakers for the money. Biden's remarks will seek to put pressure on Congress to approve a funding package for Israel and Ukraine.

While the exact amount is yet to be revealed, the total supplemental funding package is set to be around $100 billion, according to media reports.

The speech comes one day after Biden paid a high-stakes visit to Israel. Biden is also set to appeal to Americans about his administration's funding to support Kyiv.

Polls have shown waning interest for support for Kyiv, especially among conservative Republicans, as the war approaches the two-year mark.