U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to embark on a visit to Israel on Wednesday, expressing his support for the nation’s efforts in its conflict with Hamas, as Washington announces that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to allow humanitarian aid to reach the besieged population in Gaza.
“On Wednesday, I’ll travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack,” Biden declared on Tuesday.
He added, “I’ll then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians’ right to self-determination.”
As trucks laden with vital supplies for Gaza began their journey toward the Rafah crossing in Egypt, the sole access point to the enclave beyond Israel’s control, the question remains whether they will successfully cross into Gaza.
Israel has launched a series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 2,800 Palestinians, with roughly a quarter of the casualties being children. This violence has also displaced approximately half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Israel’s total blockade on the enclave has contributed to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced President Biden’s planned visit following extensive discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu. During these talks, it was disclosed that Netanyahu had consented to form a plan for delivering humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, although specific details were not provided.
Blinken stated, “The president will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people as we continue to work with Congress to meet those needs.”
In addition, Biden is anticipated to inquire about Israel’s strategies for conducting operations with minimal civilian casualties and facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza’s residents in a manner that does not benefit Hamas.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is also engaged in efforts to rally support from Arab nations in a bid to prevent the escalation of a broader regional conflict. Iran has vowed “preemptive action” through its “resistance front” allies, including the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.
After his visit to Israel, President Biden is expected to travel to Jordan, where he will meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is a rival of Hamas.
