Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT explains and analyses the U.S President’s Israel visit and the impact it could have in the ongoing conflict and the politics of the region
In a pivotal moment during his visit to Israel right in the middle of the war, U.S President Joe Biden made a resounding statement of support for the nation while addressing the tragic explosion at Gaza’s al-Ahli hospital. U.S President unequivocally stated that, based on the information available, it appeared to him the attack was caused by Gazan terror groups and not Israel. ‘I am deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears it was done by the other team, and not you,’ he said, publicly endorsing Israel’s version of events. He also added, ‘there are a lot of people out there who are not sure.’
Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden emphasized the reason for his visit, stating, “I wanted to be here today for a simple reason: I want the people of Israel and the people of the world to know where the United States stands. I wanted to personally come and make that clear.”
President Biden also condemned the actions of Hamas, highlighting the devastating toll they’ve exacted on the region. He pointed out that Hamas has “slaughtered” over 1,300 people, emphasizing that this number is not an exaggeration. Among those lives lost were 31 Americans, and numerous individuals, including children, were taken hostage. President Biden emphasized the unimaginable fear and suffering experienced by children hiding from Hamas attacks.
Furthermore, President Biden made a critical point by distinguishing Hamas from the broader Palestinian population, stating, “Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people and has brought them only suffering.” This distinction is crucial in international discussions surrounding the conflict, emphasizing the need to separate the actions of a terrorist group from the larger Palestinian community.
Biden’s visit to Israel: Setbacks and Challenges
Even before President Biden’s departure, his mission faced roadblocks. A planned summit with Arab leaders in Jordan was cancelled following a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital, which raised questions about the origins of the incident. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas withdrew from the summit, attributing the explosion to an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military claimed a misfired Palestinian rocket. The cancellation of the summit deprived President Biden of the opportunity to meet with key regional leaders, including the Jordanian king, Abbas, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
The rapidly changing situation in the Middle East reflects the volatility of the region and the growing challenges facing American influence. The absence of a clear end game in the Israel-Hamas conflict poses a considerable risk, with the potential for a further spiral of violence and regional instability.
What are the objectives of President Biden’s Visit?
President Biden’s trip to Israel carries several key objectives. First and foremost, expressing unwavering support for Israel as it faces relentless rocket attacks and threats from Hamas. The visit reinforces the United States’ commitment to Israel’s defense and security in a highly challenging environment.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is another central goal. Since the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, there has been a severe shortage of water, fuel, and food reaching Gaza, causing immense suffering for its civilians. The American administration is working to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies, collaborating with mediators to break the current deadlock.
President Biden’s visit also seeks to manage potential spillover conflicts beyond Gaza’s borders. With skirmishes already taking place on Israel’s northern border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, there is a pressing need for diplomatic efforts to contain the situation and avoid further escalation.
Shift in America’s messaging?
The United States has subtly shifted its messaging over the past week. While maintaining strong support for Israel, the administration has also amplified the call for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. America recognizes the potential for images of suffering Palestinians to ignite protests and unrest across the Middle East.
It has become increasingly evident that the Arab world’s tolerance for Israel’s military operations is limited and could completely erode if the conditions in Gaza deteriorate further. This could have significant repercussions not only for the ongoing conflict but also for broader regional stability.
U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has been shuttling between Arab and Israeli leadership to broker an aid agreement. While this may appear modest on the surface, it marks a substantial change in Israel’s position, indicating a willingness to facilitate the entry of crucial supplies to Gaza.
Will Israel go ahead with a ground offensive?
Israel’s preparations for a ground offensive into Gaza have created a tense atmosphere in the region. Hamas, the terrorist organization that controls Gaza, has taken several measures to restrict the movement of Palestinians in the south of the territory. Egypt, a neighboring Arab nation, has also blocked refugees from entering Gaza, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation.
Gaza Hospital Bombing: Attempt by Hamas to put pressure on Israel?
Israel has accused Hamas of targeting the medical facility in Gaza to put global pressure on Israel through propaganda efforts. Global geo politics experts are of the opinion that Israel which is preparing for a ground offensive, would not bomb a hospital in Gaza right ahead of U.S President Joe Biden’s visit as it would undermine its own plans. Israel has raised suspicions that Hamas may have staged the bombing to garner international attention and prevent Israel’s impending ground offensive.
Gaza and Hypocrisy of the Arab World
As the Israeli-Palestinian war continues to take its toll on the Gaza Strip, the reluctance of neighboring Arab nations, such as Egypt and Jordan, to open their borders and accept Palestinian refugees has raised significant questions about the level of solidarity within the Arab world. While the international community calls for aid to alleviate the suffering in Gaza, these neighboring countries appear to be setting limitations on their support, sparking a global debate about the disparities in rhetoric and actions.
Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has faced mounting pressure to open the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinian refugees entry. However, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has rejected this proposal, citing concerns of “forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt.” Sisi’s warning underscores his apprehensions regarding the destabilising impact that a large refugee influx could have on Egypt and the broader region.
Jordan, another neighboring nation, has taken a similar stance. King Abdullah has made it clear that pushing Palestinian refugees into Jordan is a “red line.” He emphasized that the humanitarian crisis should be addressed within Gaza and the West Bank rather than spreading it to neighboring countries. This firm position by Jordan underlines the complexities of the situation and the potential consequences that welcoming a large number of refugees could bring.
The situation raises a profound question about the actions and policies of these Arab nations in the face of a humanitarian crisis. While many of these countries have historically voiced strong support for the Palestinian cause, the reluctance to welcome Gazan refugees calls into question the sincerity of their commitment. The international community continues to look for solutions to ensure the well-being of the affected Gazans, even as geopolitical complexities persist in the region.
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