In a significant show of support, President Joe Biden is embarking on a landmark trip to Israel to address the ongoing conflict in the region. The visit aims to express “ironclad” support from the United States as it strives to prevent the Gaza conflict from turning into a regional crisis.
This visit comes on the heels of an incident where Hamas fighters, based in Gaza, breached Israel’s heavily fortified border, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 1,400 people, the majority of whom were civilians, as they carried out attacks through shootings, stabbings, and burnings.
In response to this situation, Israel has launched intense airstrikes on Gaza under Hamas control and deployed tens of thousands of troops to its borders, indicating preparations for a potential full-scale ground offensive.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has clarified that President Biden’s visit underscores solidarity with Israel and an unwavering commitment to its security. Washington has also deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean to deter hostile actions against Israel.
In contrast, Iran has warned of a possible “pre-emptive action” against Israel in the coming hours and cautioned against a ground invasion of Gaza. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian asserted that the “resistance leaders” will not allow Israel to act freely in Gaza.
Israel reported on Tuesday that its troops killed four militants attempting to infiltrate from Lebanon and conducted strikes on what it described as Hezbollah “terrorist” targets in the country.
While expressing support, President Biden will also attempt to influence Israel’s military response, addressing concerns about the devastating impact of the conflict on Palestinian civilians. Israeli airstrikes have targeted senior Hamas figures and the organization’s headquarters, but the toll on Palestinian civilians is significant, with over 2,750 Palestinians killed, primarily civilians, and extensive destruction of neighborhoods.
Israel has called on residents in north Gaza to move south to prepare for a potential urban ground assault. It remains unclear how Biden’s visit will affect the timing of such an operation.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported that more than one million Palestinians have fled their homes since the conflict began, and Gaza is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Gaza is rapidly approaching a “real catastrophe,” according to Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the World Health Organization’s regional director.
A plan for humanitarian aid is in development, and the United States and Israel are working on creating areas to protect civilians from harm. President Biden aims to hear from Israel how it plans to conduct its operations to minimize civilian casualties and facilitate humanitarian assistance to Gaza without benefiting Hamas.
Amid this crisis, Palestinians in Gaza are facing tremendous hardships, and Israelis near the Gaza Strip and Lebanon’s northern border have been displaced or evacuated, marking one of the worst attacks in Israel’s history.
The situation has led to anxiety and anguish, with many families, like that of Merav Leshem Gonen, awaiting news about their loved ones. Her daughter was kidnapped near the Gaza border, one of many taken hostage by Hamas or other groups. Hamas’s military wing has claimed to be holding around 200 people, while other factions hold approximately 50 more.
The situation remains dire, with both Israelis and Palestinians enduring the consequences of the escalating conflict.