The US president made his State of the Union address overnight – and he used it to call out Israel.
Joe Biden announced the US would help build a port in Gaza to deliver aid to people starving in the enclave, and urged Israel to do more to protect civilians.
He also demanded the country steps up the amount of humanitarian aid entering the besieged region and to work towards Palestinian statehood as the only long-term solution to the conflict.
“To the leadership of Israel I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” he said.
“Nearly two million more Palestinians under bombardment or displacement, homes destroyed, neighbourhoods in rubble, cities in ruin. Families out of food, water, medicine. It’s heartbreaking.”
Turning to hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, Mr Biden said the US “will not rest” until they are brought home.
“I’ve been working non-stop to establish an immediate ceasefire that would last for six weeks to get all the prisoners released, all the hostages released, get the hostages home and ease the intolerable,” he said.
A slew of Democrats and Republicans wore pins and stickers in honour of the Israeli hostages.
Meanwhile, several House progressives wore Palestinian keffiyehs, the black and white chequered scarfs that have come to symbolise Palestinian solidarity.
Mr Biden has faced heightened emotions over his staunch backing for Israel’s war against Hamas.
The White House had initially hoped a short-term ceasefire would be in place by the speech. It blames Hamas for not yet accepting a deal brokered by the US and its allies.
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