President Joe Biden cracked a joke about Palestinian terrorists’ aim while discussing an explosion at a hospital.
On Wednesday, a reporter asked Biden what his message is to people who do not believe the United States’ intelligence assessment that Israel was not behind an explosion at a hospital in Gaza.
“I can understand why in this circumstance they wouldn’t believe [it]. I can understand that. But… you notice I don’t say things like that unless I have faith in the source in which I’ve gotten it,” the president responded.
After reiterating the U.S. does not believe it is likely Israel was behind the explosion, Biden said, “And I’m not suggesting that Hamas deliberately did it either. It’s that old thing, gotta learn how to shoot straight.”
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BIDEN: “I’m not suggesting that Hamas deliberately did it … [They] gotta learn how to shoot straight”pic.twitter.com/OgNbm1UpM3
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 18, 2023
The exchange refers to an explosion at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.
Initial reports said the explosion killed hundreds and cited “Palestinian officials” who claimed Israel bombed the hospital.
Israeli officials denied they had aircraft operating in the area and released what they say is radar data showing rockets from Gaza passing over the hospital.
Audio was also released by Israeli officials that is said to be a recording of a call between members of Hamas realizing the blast was the result of a failed rocket launch from Gaza.
Additionally, U.S. defense officials said there is “high confidence” intelligence that Islamic Jihad and not Israel was responsible for the blast.
During a trip to Israel on Wednesday, Biden said, “I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday.”
“And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not [Israel], but there’s a lot of people out there not sure, so we gotta overcome a lot of things,” he added.