President Joe Biden’s visit to Tel Aviv took an unexpected turn as he arrived on Wednesday to reinforce the U.S. commitment to Israel and address the escalating conflict with Hamas.
The trip was originally intended to secure humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians affected by recent events.
However, a tragic bombing at a Gaza City hospital that resulted in the loss of at least 500 lives has thrown the mission and regional stability into turmoil.
Israel and the Hamas militant group have traded blame for the devastating attack.
Biden’s condensed visit primarily focuses on showing solidarity with Israel after the recent assault by Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the European Union.
In Tel Aviv, the President is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as senior aides and the Israeli war cabinet to discuss the nation’s defense needs.
Also, President Biden is expected to meet with Israeli victims’ families, including those with relatives held hostage in Gaza, and offer public remarks on the ongoing conflict.
The visit to Israel, which enjoys widespread bipartisan support in the U.S., serves as a political opportunity for the 80-year-old president, allowing him to demonstrate U.S. influence abroad.
However, he must navigate this show of support while addressing mounting international concerns surrounding the tragic hospital explosion.