President Joe Biden of the United States will journey to Israel this Wednesday, a move announced in conjunction with a US endeavor to develop a plan facilitating the provision of aid to Gaza and the establishment of safe zones for civilians.
Tensions in the region continue to escalate as Israel intensifies strikes on the Gaza Strip, with a ground invasion looming on the horizon. The conflict is currently in its 11th day.
The White House confirmed on Monday that President Biden’s impending visit aims to underscore his unwavering support for Israel. Additionally, Biden plans to venture to Jordan to engage with regional leaders, including King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.
His announcement to the leaders is expected to clarify regarding Hamas, he will emphasize that it does not represent the Palestinian people’s quest for dignity and self-determination. Conversations about the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza will also be on the agenda.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stipulated after engaging with the Israeli cabinet on Monday that Biden’s visit on Wednesday arrives during a crucial period for both the region and the world. President Biden intends to reaffirm the ironclad commitment of the US to Israel’s security, expressing unequivocally that Israel holds the right and responsibility to safeguard its citizens from Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
President Biden aims to use his visit to hear firsthand what Israel needs to shield its people.
In the same vein, the President will also stress upon both state and non-state actors that the present situation should not be exploited to launch attacks on Israel. To this end, he has stationed two aircraft carrier groups and additional military resources in the region.
President Biden guarantees steadfast support in liaising with Israel to secure the release of hostages captured by Hamas.
Blinken confirmed that the President would procure a detailed briefing on Israel’s war objectives and strategies and gain insights on its plans to minimize civilian casualties and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian populace.
On the topic of humanitarian assistance, it was revealed that the US and Israel, at Washington’s behest, have decided to develop a plan. This plan aims to allow aid from donor nations and multinational organizations to reach the civilians in the battered region undeterred.
Blinken stressed the urgency of delivering aid to Gaza promptly, sharing Israel’s concerns over Hamas possibly confiscating or destroying incoming aid.
Should Hamas in any way obstruct the humanitarian aid flow to civilians, The U.S. will not hesitate to voice its condemnation, and will strive to prevent a recurrence of such an event, remarked Blinken.
In a parallel development, Ireland plans to emphasize the necessity of a humanitarian corridor to Gaza at an EU conference. The virtual meeting aims to discussion the prevention of the present conflict spreading further in the region and its potential impact on Europe.
