In a crucial diplomatic mission, President Joe Biden has touched down in Israel, with the primary aim of preventing the ongoing Gaza conflict from spiraling into a regional conflagration. His visit also seeks to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza, sparked by a devastating hospital explosion that resulted in mass casualties.
The catastrophic blast at a Gaza City hospital led to the abrupt cancellation of the second leg of President Biden’s journey, which was to include meetings with Arab leaders in Jordan. Instead, he is slated to return directly to Washington following crucial discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, high-ranking civilian and military officials in Tel Aviv, and the families of victims affected by the Hamas attack on October 7th, which claimed the lives of over 1,300 individuals, predominantly civilians, and ignited the latest cycle of hostilities.
The Gaza health ministry, under the control of Hamas, attributed the hospital explosion to an Israeli airstrike. In contrast, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) asserted that the incident resulted from a misfired rocket launched by an alternate militant Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad. This group denied any involvement, while an official from the Gaza civil defense reported over 300 casualties in the wake of the explosion.
Upon landing in Israel, President Biden openly took a stance on the dispute, conveying to Prime Minister Netanyahu that the available evidence pointed to “the other team” as responsible for the blast, presumably alluding to a Palestinian group.
The IDF presented evidence suggesting that there was no crater at the hospital, countering an airstrike hypothesis. Instead, they contended that the explosion was caused by a malfunctioning Islamic Jihad rocket, which disintegrated shortly after launch from a nearby cemetery, ultimately landing in the hospital’s parking area. The IDF stated that the high number of casualties was a result of the area being densely populated with civilians.
Critics argue that Israel’s credibility has been undermined by its reluctance to accept responsibility for previous civilian casualties, including the shooting of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh last year. Initially, Israel attributed the incident to Palestinian militants but later conceded that there was a “high possibility” that an Israeli soldier was responsible for her death.
President Biden’s visit not only signifies unwavering solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attack but also aims to deter any intervention by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia along the Lebanese border. The White House has asserted that Biden will pose “tough questions” about Israel’s strategy in Gaza and advocate for humanitarian relief for the more than 2 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza, enduring relentless bombardment with severely limited access to essentials such as water, food, and medical supplies.
The United Nations reported that over 3,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza since the October 7th Hamas assault. The hospital explosion in Gaza City has ignited widespread outrage across the Middle East, sparking protests throughout the region.
Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, disclosed that the planned summit with Biden was abandoned, emphasizing that the top priority is ending the conflict. He pointed the finger at Israel for pushing the region to “the brink of the abyss” with its military campaign.
President Biden is expected to hold discussions with President Sisi of Egypt and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority over the phone while en route to Washington. During his time in Tel Aviv, the president will engage in talks with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, as well as with Israeli emergency service personnel and the families affected by the Hamas attack.
King Abdullah of Jordan contended that Israel’s response to the Hamas cross-border attack has gone beyond the right of self-defense and amounts to collective punishment of Palestinian civilians. The White House has confirmed that President Biden will underline continued US military support for Israel while also inquiring about the situation on the ground and Israel’s objectives and plans in the coming weeks.
The hospital explosion in Gaza has led to protests in the West Bank and sparked a significant rally near the Israeli embassy in Jordan. Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah called for a “day of rage” to coincide with President Biden’s visit, resulting in confrontations with Lebanese security forces outside the US embassy in Beirut.
Even before the hospital explosion, President Biden’s visit carried considerable risks, both in terms of his international standing and his domestic position in an election year. The US believed it had negotiated humanitarian agreements with Israel, including the provision of corridors for relief supplies into Gaza and secure zones for Palestinian civilians. However, these agreements had not been implemented as of his arrival.
Convoys carrying vital supplies are waiting at the Egyptian border with Gaza for the Rafah crossing to open. Egypt controls the border but requires Israeli approval for the passage of aid and individuals. At the time of President Biden’s visit, the border remained shut, with the area experiencing airstrikes that claimed Palestinian lives.
President Biden’s visit serves as an opportunity to advocate for immediate humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. The absence of clean water, coupled with the presence of bodies under the rubble, has raised concerns about an impending epidemic. Hospitals in Gaza are on the verge of collapse due to the absence of electricity and fuel for generators.
In conclusion, President Biden’s visit to the region is a critical diplomatic endeavor aimed at de-escalating the Gaza conflict, assessing the situation on the ground, and facilitating humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza. The hospital explosion in Gaza City has triggered a regional outpouring of anger and protests, underscoring the urgent need for diplomacy and aid in the troubled region.