Joe Biden says ‘most powerful nation’ US can support both Ukraine and Israel militarily

US President Joe Biden has stated that the United States has the capability to provide military support to both Ukraine and Israel. This statement comes amidst concerns that the conflict in the Middle East could escalate. Biden, during a 60 Minutes interview, asserted that the US, being the most powerful nation in the world, can handle both situations while maintaining its overall international defence. He emphasized that the US has the capacity and obligation to do so, referring to the country as 'the essential nation'. The interview was recorded as Israeli Defence Forces were preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza, causing hundreds of thousands of residents to flee south. The timing also coincided with Biden considering a trip to Israel, possibly within days, as per US officials. Israel declared war on the Islamist group Hamas after waves of its fighters breached the heavily fortified border, causing significant casualties. Israel responded with a relentless bombing campaign of Gaza, resulting in substantial loss of life. Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah, both supporters of Hamas, have warned of a response if an invasion occurs. The US, a staunch supporter of Israel, has dispatched two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent. The US has also conducted backchannel discussions with Iranian leaders to caution them against escalation. When asked if US troops might join the war, Biden responded negatively, expressing confidence in Israel's military capabilities and assuring them of US support. Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US has provided almost US$44 billion in support. Israel also regularly receives billions of dollars in military support from the US, much of which is spent on missiles. Biden has announced his intention to seek additional funds for Israel from Congress. A request for further support for Ukraine has also been made, but the House of Representatives is currently in a deadlock due to the absence of a speaker. Biden and his administration officials have refrained from criticising Israel or its bombing campaign that has resulted in civilian casualties in Gaza. However, they have urged Israel, Egypt and other nations to allow for humanitarian aid and supplies into the conflict zone. Biden expressed confidence in Israel's adherence to the rules of war and the standards that democratic institutions and countries abide by. He also voiced his belief that Israel should not control the territory long-term, suggesting instead that the territory should be governed by 'a Palestinian Authority'. He stressed that Israel needed to respond after the initial attack by Hamas, which he described as being 'as consequential as the Holocaust.