The U.S. president is set to engage in discussions covering a range of critical topics, including the ongoing war, humanitarian aid efforts, Iran’s warnings, and the potential for the conflict to escalate further.
Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Israel, Canada, the European Union, and others. However, it’s important to note that opinions on this matter can vary, and there are also entities and countries that do not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Biden’s visit to Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the Middle East, was scheduled prior to the tragic hospital strike on Tuesday, which has intensified the significance of his trip. Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Gaza and the looming threat of a ground offensive create a high-stakes environment for his visit.
However, Israel’s recent attack on the hospital has already led to diplomatic repercussions for President Biden. Jordan, initially set to host Biden for a summit involving King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, has postponed these meetings, making Biden’s presence in Amman uncertain at this time.
In response to the hospital strike, President Biden expressed his outrage and deep sorrow in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), but notably refrained from openly criticizing Israel.
So, what are the potential objectives of his trip to Israel?
What is the context for Biden’s visit to Israel? The U.S. president
As of Tuesday, the death toll from Israeli bombings had surpassed 3,000 Palestinians, including a distressing one-third who were children, dating back to October 7. This count occurred before the tragic attack on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
Biden’s visit follows a meeting between his top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Arab leaders last week. It’s worth noting that many of these Arab leaders did not condemn Hamas for its attacks, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,400 people in Israel, including some foreign nationals.
Biden is scheduled to arrive in Tel Aviv at 10 am local time (07:00 GMT) on Wednesday, where he will hold meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials.