US President Joe Biden is contemplating a visit to Israel after a phone call invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although a final decision has not been reached, sources close to the matter revealed that President Biden is actively considering the trip.
This potential visit comes in the wake of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s second trip to Israel, aimed at coordinating efforts in response to the recent Hamas attacks and to address concerns about the conflict’s escalation.
The US has been actively engaged in back-channel talks with Iran, warning them against any actions that might further escalate the crisis.
The conflict has escalated recently with rockets fired at Tel Aviv and southern Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza.
Tensions are also rising on Israel’s border with Lebanon, where Israeli military jets targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
Meanwhile, over 600,000 Gazans have relocated to southern Gaza, following Israeli Defense Forces’ instructions, despite attempts by Hamas to keep them in the north.
In the backdrop of these developments, the US and its allies are making efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading across the region and also stabilize global financial markets.
Haven assets like the dollar, US Treasury bonds, and gold have retained their gains, and oil prices have remained steady. However, Asian markets may experience pressure in the coming days.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Israel after a dispute over comments made by Israel’s defense minister. Meanwhile, the State Department confirmed 30 US citizens’ deaths since the conflict began, with 13 American nationals still unaccounted for.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the US Senate will receive a classified briefing involving senior Biden administration officials, including Secretary Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General C.Q. Brown.
These developments demonstrate the high stakes and complex diplomatic efforts involved in managing the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader regional implications.
