Biden praises Netanyahu for ceasefire agreement

US President Joe Biden on Thursday evening commended both Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the ceasefire with Hamas, while reiterating that Washington "fully supports Israel's right to defend itself" against Hamas rocket attacks.

In a speech delivered at the White House, Biden condemned Hamas for taking the lives of innocent Israelis but failed to mention that Israeli air strikes had killed at least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children and 39 women, while also destroying residential buildings and media offices.

"These hostilities have resulted in the tragic deaths of so many civilians, including children, and I send my sincere condolences to all the families, Israeli and Palestinian, who have lost loved ones," Biden said.

Biden added that the US is committed to providing humanitarian assistance and support for reconstruction efforts in Gaza, but would only work with the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas.