Overnight, the US president gave a State of the Union address and used it to criticize Israel.
Joe Biden announced that the United States would help build a port to deliver aid to starving people in the Gaza Strip and called on Israel to do more to protect civilians.
He also called on the country to increase the amount of humanitarian aid to the besieged areas and to work towards the establishment of a Palestinian state as the only long-term solution to the conflict.
“I say this to the leaders of Israel: Humanitarian aid must not be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” he said.
“Nearly 2 million more Palestinians have been shelled or forcibly displaced, their homes destroyed, neighborhoods buried in rubble, and cities in ruins. Families lack food, water, and medicine. Heartbreaking. That's what I think.”
Regarding the hostages still being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the 81-year-old said the United States “will not rest” until they return home.
“I have worked tirelessly to release all prisoners of war, free all hostages, bring hostages home, and establish an immediate ceasefire lasting six weeks to defuse the intolerable situation,” he said.
Scores of Democrats and Republicans wore pins and stickers in honor of the Israeli hostages who are still being held captive.
Meanwhile, several House progressives wore Palestinian keffiyehs, black and white checkered scarves symbolizing Palestinian solidarity.
Biden faces growing sentiment over his staunch support for Israel's war against Hamas.
The White House initially hoped a short-term ceasefire would be in place by the time of the speech. He accuses Hamas of not yet accepting the deal brokered by the United States and its allies.