The White House announced that US President Joe Biden granted legal protection to Palestinians in the United States from deportation for 18 months.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Biden signed an order banning the deportation of Palestinians "in light of the ongoing conflict and humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip."

Biden's order stated that after Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 and the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, humanitarian conditions in the strip and other Palestinian territories have significantly deteriorated.

He continued, "While I continue to focus on improving the humanitarian situation, many civilians remain at risk," adding, "Therefore, I direct the postponement of deportation for a number of Palestinians present in the United States."

The New York Times reported that the protection applies to about 6,000 Palestinians under a law that allows immigrants to remain in the United States if their homelands are experiencing a crisis.

The White House announcement came as Biden faces increasing anger due to his support for the Israeli attack on Gaza in an election year.

This step also comes as the White House tries to defuse growing voter anger about the Israeli war in Gaza, fearing it may harm Biden's chances of winning a second term in the November elections, but the order was issued at a time when the Democratic president faces increasing criticism regarding immigration, especially the large numbers of migrants crossing the southern border illegally from Mexico into the United States.

The war in Gaza entered its 132nd day amid ongoing negotiations in Cairo aiming to reach an agreement leading to a truce and prisoner exchange, while the specter of humanitarian disaster looms over Rafah, which is awaiting an Israeli operation.