Biden To Visit Israel This Week As Bombardment Of Gaza Continues

On Monday, the White House announced a visit by President Joe Biden to Israel later this week.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended the invitation to Biden during a phone conversation on Saturday.

The visit would serve as a display of solidarity for Israel in light of the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

It would also send out an indirect message to Iran and Hezbollah that they should not become involved in the fighting.

After Hamas’s attack on October 7, Biden provided steadfast backing to Israel.

However, Biden and his team have recently shown apprehension about the aggravating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza due to Israel’s bombardment and complete blockade of the territory.

This administration’s statements to this effect came amid a backlash on social media over the crisis unfolding in Gaza. Following pressure from the Biden administration, Israel started dispensing water to the southern part of Gaza on Sunday.

The president’s visit to Israel during this critical time presents significant challenges for the White House in terms of politics and security. International airlines have ceased flights to Ben-Gurion International Airport due to the conflict in Gaza.

The airport is located within range of Hamas rockets. To assist its citizens in departing the country, the U.S. is utilizing charter planes.

The uncertain security situation in Israel became evident when air raid sirens rang during a meeting between Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Netanyahu, resulting in their relocation to a military command center to continue their discussion.

This was Blinken’s second visit to Israel since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

The White House could demand the postponement of the ground invasion as a condition for Biden’s visit, giving Israel more time to strategize and residents to evacuate. This way, Biden’s visit may create an opportunity for a more deliberate course of action.