White House clarifies Biden's linking of India-Middle East Economic Corridor to Hamas attack

Washington: US President Joe Biden’s statement linking Hamas's attack on Israel to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) has now got a clarification from the White House as the remark reportedly created confusion.

The National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, John Kirby, said that the President’s statement had been "misunderstood" and provided an alternative interpretation of Biden's remarks.

Speaking to reporters during a joint news conference on Wednesday, Biden expressed his conviction that one factor behind Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel stemmed from the recent announcement at the G-20 Summit in New Delhi. The announcement focused on the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, aiming to integrate the entire region through a network of railroads.

According to Kirby, Biden's reference to the IMEEC was not a direct cause but rather a contextual factor. The President allegedly suggested that the ongoing efforts towards normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, seen as a crucial step towards a two-state solution, might have motivated Hamas to launch the attacks.

During a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Biden admitted that his analysis lacked concrete proof, relying solely on his instinct. This marks the second occasion in less than a week that the President has mentioned the IMEEC in connection with the Hamas attack.