Biden to visit Israel tomorrow on ‘solidarity and peace mission’

US President Joe Biden is set to visit Israel on Wednesday at a time when the country is facing its toughest battle with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday said that President Biden is coming to Israel at a “critical moment” and will reaffirm the US’ solidarity with Israel.

The American leader will try to forestall a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza while also preventing the war between Israel and Hamas from spreading, the New York Times reported,.

“US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday. He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world. President Biden will reaffirm the United States’ solidarity with Israel. President Biden will again make clear, as he’s done unequivocally since Hamas’ killing of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks,” he said.

He further added by saying that President Biden will continue to coordinate closely with the Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

“President Biden will underscore our crystal clear message to any actor, state or non-state trying to take advantage of this crisis to attack Israel, don’t. President will continue to coordinate closely with our Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas…The United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza,” he said.

Blinken noted that President Biden will also receive a comprehensive brief on Israel’s war aims and strategy.

“The President will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimises civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.To that end, today and at our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organisations to reach civilians in Gaza and them alone, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm’s way. It is critical that aid begins flowing into Gaza as soon as possible,” he said.

“If Hamas in any way blocks humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians, including by seizing the aid itself, we’ll be the first to condemn it, and we will work to prevent it from happening again,” he added.

Meanwhile, the White House also issued a statement on President Biden’s visit to Israel.

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will travel to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps,” the White House said.

“President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with his Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza,” the White House added in its statement.