U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Tel Aviv and Amman on Wednesday, in a trip intended to show the complete support of the United States as Israel defends itself against Hamas rockets, as well as to push for humanitarian supplies for Gaza’s population and safe passage for Americans who are within the combat zone.
Biden’s anticipated travel was revealed Monday night by Secretary of State Antony Blinken following a nearly eight-hour meeting between him and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials
“On Wednesday, President Biden will visit Israel,” Blinken said during a press briefing. “He’s coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world.”
“President Biden will again make clear … that Israel has the right, and indeed the duty, to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks”, Blinken said, adding that the White House hopes Israel will minimize the number of civilian casualties throughout its advance through the underdeveloped and densely abitated Palestinian enclave.
Biden will meet with Netanyahu to discuss the strategy and speed of military operations, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on a conference call Monday night.
To discuss further attempts to bring humanitarian supplies into Gaza, Biden will also meet with Jordanian King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman. “We want to see assistance get in through that Rafah gate and also for people to be able to get out,” Kirby stated.
Biden has expressed unequivocal support for Israel, which is still reeling from violent attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli citizens, which have resulted in more than 1,400 Israeli deaths. Thirty Americans, according to the State Department, were among them, and more than a dozen Americans are still missing.
According to American sources, Hamas is reportedly holding at least a few Americans captive. Biden wants to learn more about the hostage issue while he is in the area, Kirby said.
