President Biden: It appears terrible losses in Gaza Hospital explosion was not from Israeli forces

(Tel Aviv)  --  President Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken continue to reaffirm the country's support for Israel.  

Speaking in Israel, Biden said the safety of Jewish people around the world depends on the "continued vibrance of the state of Israel." Additionally, Blinken said Israel is a nation united in grief and resolve. 

He arrived hours after a deadly explosion outside a Gaza hospital killed hundreds of people. The Gaza Health Ministry, an organization run by Hamas, said at least 500 people were killed in the blast. An exact casualty number is unknown at this time.

Biden said it he believes the blast was not the work of Israeli forces, but instead said "it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you" while speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

"I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted," said President Biden in a statement, "Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened."