'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP

As Biden began to wrap up his speech, he made his first reference to his age: an issue polling has shown is a major concern for voters.

The remark mixed Biden's strategy for quelling such doubts: self-deprecating humor and assurances that age equals wisdom.

"I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while," he joked. "And when you get to my age certain things become clearer than ever before."

"My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy," he said. "A future based on the core values that have defined America. Honesty. Decency. Dignity. Equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair shot. To give hate no safe harbor."

He added: "Now some other people my age see a different story. An American story of resentment, revenge, and retribution. That’s not me."

Continuing to swipe indirectly at Trump, who is 77, Biden said it's Trump who will move the country in the wrong direction.

"My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are among the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back."

5:05

Biden addresses his age at the conclusion of his State of the Union address

"The issue facing our nation isn't how old we are, it's how old our ideas are," Biden remarked.

ABCNews.com

While discussing his directive to establish a temporary pier to get more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, Biden said that "Israel must do its part"

"Israel must allow more aid to Gaza and ensure humanitarian workers are not caught in the crossfire," Biden said.

Addressing Israel's leaders, Biden said: "Humanitarian assistance cannot be second or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving lives has to be a priority."

Biden addressed the "gut-wrenching" months since the Oct. 7 attack in Israel and expressed sympathy for the Israeli, Palestinian and Americans affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

"I know the last five months have been gut-wrenching for so many people, for the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and so many here in America," Biden said.

Biden referred to Oct. 7 as "The deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust" and addressed the those who endured sexual violence during the attack.

"This crisis began on Oct. 7 with a massacre by the terrorist group Hamas," Biden said. "1,200 innocent people women and girls men and boys slaughtered, many enduring sexual violence."

Biden called out the families of the American hostages who are in attendance Thursday.

"I pledge to all the families that we will not rest until we bring their loved ones home."

Biden repeated his calls for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid fierce fighting in the Gaza Strip, which was sparked by the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas and other groups.

"As we look to the future, the only real solution is a two-state solution. I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel and the only American president to visit Israel in wartime. There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and democracy. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live with peace and dignity," he said.

The president did, though, push Israel to allow more aid to enter the Gaza Strip.

"Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire. To the leadership of Israel, I say this: humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority," he said.