President Biden’s Slip-Up: Gaza Mistakenly Referred to as Ukraine During US Aid Drop Announcement

In a recent announcement regarding the provision of aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory of Gaza, President Joe Biden inadvertently caused a stir by twice referencing Ukraine instead of Gaza. The 81-year-old president confirmed on Friday the United States’ commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, which has been grappling with the devastating effects of ongoing conflict.

The announcement came in the wake of alarming reports from the Hamas-run health ministry, indicating that approximately 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the onset of the conflict last October. President Biden assured that humanitarian aid, including food and supplies, would be airdropped into Gaza in collaboration with allies such as Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France, and the UK, who have already undertaken similar efforts.

Watch: Biden twice refers to Gaza as ‘Ukraine’ when announcing US aid drops

However, the president’s remarks took an unexpected turn when he mistakenly referred to the aid as destined for Ukraine, requiring White House officials to issue clarifications regarding the intended recipient. Despite the slip-up, President Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need for increased aid flow into Gaza to prevent further loss of innocent lives, particularly those of children.

During discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Washington, President Biden underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “Aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough.” He expressed dissatisfaction with the current aid levels and called for a significant increase in the volume of aid deliveries, stressing the importance of swift action to alleviate the suffering of Gazans.

In addition to addressing the aid issue, President Biden also expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas before the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, on March 10. However, he acknowledged the significant challenges in reaching such an agreement, citing the divergence of opinions among the involved parties.

The president’s commitment to aid provision comes in the aftermath of a tragic incident in Gaza City, where at least 115 Palestinians lost their lives and over 750 others sustained injuries during a chaotic aid truck episode. The UK has joined international calls for an investigation into the incident, with Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemning the killings as “horrific” and stressing the need for accountability.

Despite the absence of direct accusations, Lord Cameron linked the tragic events to the insufficient flow of aid into Gaza, calling on Israel to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the region. French President Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the incident, emphasizing the imperative of truth, justice, and respect for international law in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Key Notes of this News:

1. President Biden announced US aid to Gaza, acknowledging the dire situation in the war-torn territory.
2. Biden’s speech included references to Ukraine instead of Gaza, requiring clarification from White House officials.
3. The aid efforts involve airdrops of humanitarian assistance, with support from various countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France, Jordan, and the UK.
4. Biden emphasized the urgency of increasing aid flow to Gaza to prevent further loss of innocent lives, particularly children.
5. The president expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas before the start of Ramadan, though acknowledged challenges in reaching such an agreement.
6. The announcement followed a tragic incident in Gaza City, where over a hundred Palestinians died during a chaotic aid truck episode.
7. The UK joined international calls for an investigation into the incident, linking it to the insufficient flow of aid into Gaza and calling for accountability.
8. French President Macron and UN Secretary-General Guterres also condemned the incident, stressing the importance of truth, justice, and respect for international law in addressing the crisis.