Hours after Biden strongly denounced the incident, the White House said that the US President did not actually see any images but was only referencing to “reports from Israel,” BBC has reported.
The president, in a televised address, had labeled Hamas’ attack on Israel as an “act of sheer evil.”
Expressing shock at the horrifying images he claimed to have witnessed, Biden said during a televised White House address: “There are moments in this life – I mean this literally – when a pure, unadulterated evil is unleashed on this world,”
Earlier, the Israeli foreign ministry said that was not able to confirm “at this stage” reports that Hamas fighters “murdered” 40 babies at a kibbutz in the south of the country.
In his address, Biden also reiterated America’s unwavering support for Israel, saying, “We stand with Israel and we will make sure it has what it needs,”, issuing a warning against exploiting the circumstances in Israel.
Describing the attacks on civilians by Hamas as “sickening,” Biden said, “Parents butchered, using their bodies to try to protect their children. Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace. Women raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies.”
The Israeli soldier who first made the claim to i24 news, David Ben Zion, reported that he has witnessed decapitated women and children.
Tal Heinrich, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, revealed to CNN that babies and toddlers were found “decapitated” in the community of Kfar Aza.
Biden stands firm with Israel amidst Hamas attacks, urges global unity
Although the Israeli Defense Forces did not officially confirm the incident, a spokesperson said, “We cannot confirm it officially, but you can assume it happened and believe the report.”
Hamas responded to Biden’s comments, alleging that they were an “attempt to cover crimes” committed by Israel.
President Biden confirmed that 14 American citizens have been killed in the ‘surprise attack’ by Hamas so far with many being held hostage by the terrorist group in Gaza.
The death toll from the conflict has risen to over 2000 with over 1,200 dead in Israel and another 1,100 in Gaza.Watch Biden confirms Hamas is holding US hostages, condemns sheer evil of attack on Israel