October 9, 2023
The White House says President Biden is not expected to speak or appear to the public for the rest of the Monday, just hours after nine Americans were confirmed dead in Israel.
The White House called a press lid at 11:46 a.m. on Monday, indicating that they do not expect Biden to make further statements. Biden’s administration is embroiled in the response to and unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which the State Department confirmed claimed the lives of at least nine Americans.
The White House denied that the lid was an indication that Biden is disengaged with the events in Israel, however.
“President Biden has been consistently engaged in supporting Israel as they defend themselves against these brutal terrorist attacks. Yesterday, after another call with Prime Minister Netanyahu and ordering the American military to provide aid to the IDF to ensure they have what they need, the President held a long-scheduled event to thank the hardworking non-political staff who keep the White House running – operating the kitchens, cleaning the White House, and helping keep the complex safe. This date was chosen because there were not White House activities that would require their work and they could bring their families. They deserve recognition, and no small, petty comments from partisan media or elected officials change that,” the White House told Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy.
The administration has yet to release the names of those Americans, and it has acknowledged the possibility that there are more U.S. citizens being held hostage in Gaza.
Biden spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier Monday. His Israeli counterpart warned that a ground invasion of Gaza may be imminent.