In a significant move, President Joe Biden has agreed to embark on an extraordinary wartime visit to Tel Aviv, marking a powerful demonstration of support for Israel as it prepares to respond to last week’s attacks by Hamas. However, this visit also underscores Biden’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza and facilitating their departure. The high-stakes diplomatic engagement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a long-time interlocutor, highlights the complex balance Biden aims to strike as he undertakes this last-minute trip.
At the core of this diplomatic effort is the well-being of millions of civilians, including Americans, currently trapped in the Gaza Strip, where a humanitarian crisis is unfolding, with Israeli troops amassed at its borders in anticipation of a potential ground invasion.
While there has been no explicit demand from the U.S. that Israel delay its invasion until after Biden’s departure, this is the unspoken understanding among American officials involved in planning the trip. The primary objective during Biden’s visit to Tel Aviv is to secure full approval and implementation of humanitarian plans for Gaza before any military action commences.
Although the term “ceasefire” has not been explicitly used by the administration, Biden has issued increasingly stern warnings about the need to protect civilian lives, especially during his conversations with Netanyahu.
For Biden, the face-to-face nature of this visit, as opposed to virtual meetings, is a critical opportunity to convey his views directly to Netanyahu, a leader with whom he believes he shares a deep understanding.
While supporting Israel’s right to self-defense is a central tenet of Biden’s approach, the administration is also keenly aware that public support for Israel may wane, especially if the civilian population in Gaza bears the brunt of Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks. Thus, the President must carefully calibrate his stance.
One official described this approach as an effort to “hug them close” to maintain cooperation through the challenging period that lies ahead.
John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, emphasized that Biden’s visit will focus on the critical need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the safe exit of innocent people. The U.S. has not sought a commitment from Israel regarding the timing of a ground invasion.
President Biden expressed a strong interest in the trip after receiving an invitation from Prime Minister Netanyahu over the weekend. Deliberations took place at the White House on Monday, involving discussions with top national security and intelligence advisors.
Simultaneously, in Tel Aviv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in extended discussions with Israeli officials regarding humanitarian aid and civilian protection in Gaza. These negotiations extended far beyond the initial expectations, indicating the complexity of the issue.
Proposals discussed included the establishment of safe zones and aid corridors. In announcing President Biden’s trip, Blinken stated that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Former U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield, recently named as the envoy for Middle East humanitarian assistance, will play a pivotal role in transforming the conceptual agreement into a concrete plan. He will be meeting with Israeli officials to define the specifics of the plan.
The current focus of this plan is on the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, not the Israeli crossings into Gaza. Oversight is a central concern for the Israelis, given the potential misuse of humanitarian supplies by Hamas. The immediate priority is to provide basic necessities such as food, medicine, and water.
The goal is to have the plan well-prepared by the time President Biden arrives in Tel Aviv, but it is acknowledged that this is a complex endeavor that requires the agreement of multiple parties. While Blinken’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East have shown some progress, much work remains ahead.
President Biden’s visit to Tel Aviv will serve as a clear display of support, but his subsequent visit to Amman, Jordan underscores the broader strategic balance the White House is striving to achieve. In Amman, Biden will meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. These engagements will be crucial in managing the complex dynamics of the region and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
King Abdullah has emphasized that the displacement of Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt is a “red line,” stressing that such a scenario is unacceptable. These diplomatic efforts are essential as the region navigates a delicate and critical period.