US President Joe Biden is expected in Israel on Wednesday for a solidarity visit after the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, before traveling to Jordan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.
“The president will reaffirm America’s solidarity with Israel and our unwavering commitment to its security,” Blinken said early Tuesday, following a night of marathon talks in Tel Aviv with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Israel has the right and duty to defend its people against Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks,” added the head of American diplomacy.
Mr. Biden “will hear from Israel what it needs to defend its people and we will continue to work with Congress to meet those needs,” he continued.
He announced that the United States had also obtained guarantees from Israel regarding the delivery of foreign humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip, at a time when Israel is preparing a ground offensive against the territory governed by the Islamist movement Hamas.
Joe Biden hopes to “hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and allows the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas,” Mr. Blinken said.
“At our request, the United States and Israel agreed to develop a plan that will allow humanitarian aid from donor countries and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza,” he explained.
He said the two sides were discussing “the possibility of creating zones to help keep civilians out of harm’s way.”
“We share Israel’s concern that Hamas could seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or prevent it from reaching people who need it,” Blinken said.
“If Hamas prevents humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in any way, including by seizing the aid itself, we will be the first to condemn it and will work to prevent this from happening. reproduce,” insisted the Secretary of State.
Joe Biden pledged to show unwavering solidarity with Israel, which suffered the worst attack in its 75-year history. But he also expressed concern for civilians in Gaza.
Following his visit to Israel, Joe Biden will travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, said Monday a White House spokesperson.
The president “will reiterate our belief that Hamas does not represent the vast majority of the Palestinian people, who are also victims,” said John Kirby, spokesman for the US National Security Council.