TEL AVIV, Israel >> President Joe Biden is set to travel to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday to meet with Israeli and Arab leaders. This visit comes at a crucial time, as there are increasing concerns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a larger regional war.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden’s travel plans as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip worsens. Additionally, Israel is preparing for a potential ground attack on the territory to target Hamas militants, who are responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials describe as the deadliest assault against Jews since the Holocaust.
Biden aims to send a strong message of support to Israel, reaffirming the U.S.’s commitment to the country. His administration has already promised military assistance, including the dispatching of carriers and aid to the region. They also plan to request an additional $2 billion in aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is currently dealing with Russia’s invasion.
Moreover, this visit provides Biden with an opportunity to bolster his national security credentials to the American voters, with the 2024 election just over a year away. It also allows him to demonstrate that he is fulfilling his campaign promise of exercising American leadership following four years of Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
However, Biden’s presence could be seen as provocative by Iran, Hamas’ chief sponsor, or be perceived as insensitive by Arab nations as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to rise. Blinken has already been traveling throughout the Middle East in an effort to prevent the war with Hamas from sparking a wider regional conflict.
The announcement of Biden’s travel plans was made on Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks between Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other top Israeli officials.
“He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world,” Blinken stated.
Blinken also mentioned that during his visit, Biden will be briefed by Israeli officials on their objectives and strategy for the war. He will learn about their plans to carry out operations in a manner that minimizes civilian casualties and ensures the flow of humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza, without benefiting Hamas.
In addition to visiting Israel, Biden will also travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The U.S. has been clear about the need for continuous humanitarian aid to Gaza, as emphasized by President Biden and his administration.
Truckloads of aid have been unable to enter Gaza through Egypt’s border, leaving residents and humanitarian organizations desperate for water, food, and fuel. They warn that the Palestinian territory, which has been sealed off by Israel, is on the brink of collapse.
Biden had initially planned to travel to Pueblo, Colorado on Monday but decided to postpone the visit to focus on consulting with his advisors and discussing the growing crisis in the Middle East with fellow leaders.
These announcements followed Biden’s discussions with a trio of world leaders and his national security team on Monday. The global community is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip and the potential for the Israel-Hamas conflict to escalate into a broader regional war.
On Monday, Biden spoke with Egypt’s el-Sissi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the consequences of the surprise attacks by Hamas militants on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people, as well as the retaliatory strikes that have killed at least 2,778 Palestinians.
European Union leaders will hold an emergency summit on Tuesday to address mounting concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict could increase tensions in Europe and lead to an influx of refugees seeking shelter.
Iran’s Foreign Minister warned on Monday that “preemptive action is possible” if Israel moves closer to launching a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. Iran is a major financial supporter of both Hamas militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Earlier remarks by Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Foreign Minister, have shown a pattern of escalating rhetoric from Iran.
“Leaders of the resistance will not allow the Zionist regime to freely operate in Gaza and then target other resistance groups afterwards,” he said in a statement on state television. “Therefore, any preemptive action is possible in the coming hours.”
Blinken, however, stated that the U.S. has not observed any indications that Iran might directly engage in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israel is also preparing for the possibility of a new front opening on its northern border with Lebanon, where there have been multiple exchanges of fire with the Hezbollah group, backed by Iran. As a precautionary measure, the military has instructed residents of 28 Israeli communities near the border to evacuate.
During Blinken’s meetings with Israeli officials on Monday, air raid sirens interrupted the discussions on three separate occasions, including twice during his meeting with Netanyahu and his war cabinet.
In Washington, Biden received a briefing in the Oval Office from his national security team regarding the situation in Israel and Gaza. The briefing was attended by White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns.
This is Blinken’s second visit to Israel in less than a week, where he has held talks with Israeli leaders. He has been extensively traveling across the Middle East, making stops in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
During his meetings on Monday with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, Blinken conveyed feedback he had received from Arab leaders. He also reaffirmed his strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism and reiterated the U.S.’s determination to supply the Israeli government with the necessary support to protect its citizens.
White House officials stated that Biden’s discussions with Arab leaders in Amman will primarily focus on humanitarian concerns for the 2.3 million people in Gaza. He will also emphasize that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination.
However, when asked if Biden will urge restraint from Netanyahu and Israeli officials or impose any conditions on potential new U.S. military aid, White House officials declined to comment.
“We are not placing any conditions on the military assistance that we are providing to Israel,” stated Kirby. “They have the right to defend themselves and to combat this terrorist threat.”
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