Sharjah24 - AFP: US President Joe Biden warned Israel on Thursday that it cannot use aid as a "bargaining chip" in its fight against Hamas and called for an immediate temporary ceasefire in Gaza, where fears of a looming famine have multiplied.

Using his annual State of the Union address to deliver some of his strongest comments yet about the five-month-long war, Biden also ordered the US military to lead "an emergency mission" to build a temporary pier off Gaza to facilitate more aid deliveries.

His address was delivered to Congress as hopes dimmed for a new truce before the start of Ramadan.

"To the leadership of Israel I say this -- humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip," Biden said.

"Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority."

Biden said the temporary pier, announced before his address, would be able to "receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters".