US President Biden to Visit Israel amid Conflict
US President Biden is to Visit Israel, this represents a significant display of U.S. support for its key Middle East ally. The visit comes in the aftermath of a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in a death toll of 1,400 people on the Israeli side. In response, Israel has imposed a stricter blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza, which includes fuel restrictions and a series of air raids causing the loss of more than 2,800 Palestinian lives and displacing hundreds of thousands.
The heaviest airstrikes primarily targeted Khan Younis, Rafah, and Deir el-Balah in the southern part of Gaza. Tragically, many of the casualties were families who had evacuated from Gaza City and the northern part of the Strip, following Israeli orders. This situation has led to overcrowded hospitals, with many individuals still trapped under the rubble of damaged buildings, awaiting rescue.
U.S. Secretary of State Confirms:
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has confirmed President Biden’s visit to Israel. The purpose of this visit includes reinforcing Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security, receiving a comprehensive briefing on Israel’s war aims and strategy, and hearing Israel’s plans to conduct operations with minimal civilian casualties while facilitating humanitarian assistance to Gaza residents without benefiting Hamas.
Secretary Blinken also stated that both nations have agreed to develop a plan to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians. Unfortunately, details of this plan were not provided. Efforts to deliver aid through Egypt’s Gaza border have faced challenges, but there’s hope for an aid agreement and the creation of “safe zones” in southern Gaza to assist the approximately 600,000 Palestinians who have fled to the area following Israel’s northern warning.
However, Israeli forces have continued airstrikes in southern Gaza, causing further casualties. The situation in southern Gaza is dire, with limited access to basic necessities, dwindling food and water supplies, and struggling hospitals.
According to Palestinian officials, over 2,800 people have lost their lives, and more than 10,000 have been injured in Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza. After visiting Israel, President Biden plans to travel to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, as announced by U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby.
Read more : Israel-Palestine Conflict : Who is supporting Who?
