President Biden says he has seen photos of Hamas 'beheading children'; White House says statement based on media reports

In his latest show of support for Israel, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday addressed Jewish community leaders at a roundtable in the White House and called the attacks by Hamas a "campaign of pure cruelty".

"I never really thought that I would see and have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children," Biden said in broader remarks about his administration's support for Israel amid its war with Hamas and efforts to free American hostages.

The White House later released a statement clarifying that the President's remarks were based on media reports and not on American intellignce.


"US officials have not seen or confirmed pictures of atrocities in Israel," a statement from the White House read. It further added that President Biden based his comments regarding beheaded children on Israeli statements and media reports.

Biden's remarks came during an event at the White House which featured a group of around two dozen rabbis and leaders of Jewish organisations. At the same event, the President also cautioned Iran on its involvement in the situation.

"We moved the US carrier fleet to the eastern Mediterranean and we are sending more fighter jets to that region, and made it clear to the Iranians: Be careful," he said, adding, "When terrorist groups like Hamas, brought not only a sheer evil, sheer evil to the world, evil that echoes the worst matches in some cases exceeds the worst atrocities of ISIS."

Meanwhile, diplomatic lines between Israel and America have been busy since the start of the conflict, with Biden making the fourth on-record call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu, assuring him that the United States is sending more military assistance to help Israel fight Hamas militants.

"The United States has Israel's back and I have yours as well - both at home and abroad," the President said.

In a major escalation on October 7, Hamas launched a 'surprise attack' on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country.

As of Wednesday, the death toll in the war stands at over 2,000, with Israel Defence Force (IDF) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus confirming that 1,200 Israelis have been killed and over 2,700 wounded on the Israeli side. Media reports peg the toll in Palestine at at least 900 people, with the number likely to be higher as Israel continues to shell the Gaza Strip indiscriminately.

In the wake of deadly Hamas attacks on Israel, the US State Department has advised Americans to reconsider travelling to Israel. The travel advisory for the West Bank has also been raised to level 3, while the advisory for Gaza remains at the most severe - "Level 4: Do Not Travel."

With inputs from ANI