US President Biden to Visit Israel on Wednesday

US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday, where he will receive a comprehensive briefing on Israel’s “war aims and strategy.” Holding a press conference in Tel Aviv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday. Stating that Biden will visit the country “at a critical time for Israel, the region and the world,” Blinken said that the US will convey a message of solidarity with Israel in the face of Hamas’ attacks. Blinken noted that Biden will reiterate his message to third actors who may want to take advantage of the current crisis to attack Israel not to do so. Stating that Biden will also be in close coordination with Israel for the release of the hostages held by Hamas, Blinken reported that the US President will also receive a comprehensive briefing on Israel’s war aims and strategy during his visit. Biden to meet with Palestinian President Abbas in Jordan Following his visit to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, US President Joe Biden will travel to Jordan and meet with King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Jean-Pierre reported that Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Sisi and Palestinian President Abbas, saying, “(Biden) will reiterate his message that Hamas does not defend the dignity and right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and will discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza.” Humanitarian aid to Gaza Blinken stated that Biden will receive briefings from Israel on how to conduct its operations while minimizing civilian casualties and how to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. In this context, Blinken announced that the US and Israel have agreed to develop a plan to ensure that humanitarian aid from donor countries and international organizations reaches civilians in Gaza, including the possibility of establishing "zones that will help keep civilians out of harm's way." "It is critical that aid begins to flow to Gaza as soon as possible," Blinken said. Blinken said that if Hamas prevents humanitarian aid from reaching civilians or seizes it, they will be the first to condemn it and will work to prevent it from happening again.