Hamas War: US President Biden, New York Gov To Visit Israel Amidst Rising Tension

United States President Joe Biden will on Wednesday travel to Israel to show solidarity with the nation after Hamas’ deadly attack ahead of a ground invasion of Gaza by the Israeli forces.

Naija News reports that Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed Biden’s impending trip on Monday.

“The President will reaffirm the United States’ solidarity with Israel and our ironclad commitment to its security,” Blinken said.

Biden, who will be going to Tel Aviv, will also stop in Amman, the capital of Jordan,
where he will meet with Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Following the invite of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden had told aides he was interested in going, as his presence would demonstrate strong U.S. support after Hamas killed more than 1,400 Israelis and took around 150 hostages, including Americans.

John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, said there’s no agreement between the U.S. and Israel to halt any ground invasion of Gaza while Biden is in Israel.

“We are not dictating military terms and operational mandates to the Israeli military,” he told reporters Monday night.

Kirby added that the president wouldn’t take such a trip unless proper security parameters were in place.

Two U.S. ships, USS Bataan and Carter Hall, featuring hundreds of Marines on board, are moving to the Mediterranean from the Persian Gulf. They’ll join a fleet of ships in the region, including two aircraft carriers.

Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on Monday night, also announced a trip to Israel.

“Tomorrow, I’ll be travelling to Israel for a solidarity mission where I plan to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks,” Hochul said