President Joe Biden plans to visit Israel on Wednesday, an extraordinary trip to the grieving nation as it prepares to invade the neighbouring Gaza Strip, which has fallen into a desperate humanitarian crisis with 2 million people trapped and critical supplies dwindling.
The trip by Biden — announced by secretary of state Antony Blinken early on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, Israel, on the eve of a potential escalation of the conflict in West Asia — will be a remarkable gamble less than two weeks after the Octoer 7 terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,400 people in southern Israel.
His acceptance of the Israeli invitation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demonstrates American solidarity with Israel, signalling to its rivals such as Iran, Syria and Hezbollah that it has the power of the US behind it at a time of increasing anxiety about a regional war. But it also ties Biden, and the US, to the bloodshed in Gaza which is controlled by Hamas.
Airstrikes that Israel says target Hamas forces have killed more than 2,808 people and wounded 10,850 others in Gaza, according to the Palestinian ministry of health. Hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes. An Israeli siege has caused shortages of food, water and fuel, drawing warnings from the UN of a humanitarian calamity.
Blinken said Biden is taking the trip to show unwavering support for Israel — after what officials say was the deadliest day in its history — and to speak with the country’s leaders about several urgent issues, including hostages held by Hamas and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region and for the world,” Blinken said. Biden’s decision suggests that the widely expected Israeli ground invasion will be delayed until after his departure, but there was no immediate comment from Israeli or US officials.
The visit by the American leader creates intense security concerns: Sirens warning of rockets or missiles sounded repeatedly on Monday, driving lawmakers to safe rooms and soldiers and journalists towards shelter as Blinken met Netanyahu and his war cabinet.
Biden’s acceptance of the invitation came as Israelis learned more about the October 7 attacks. The military said it now believes 199 people were taken hostage by Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip, nearly 50 more than previously thought.
