Biden is visiting Tel Aviv
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that President Joe Biden is visiting Tel Aviv soon in a show of solidarity.
This visit comes after Tel Aviv agreed to develop a humanitarian aid plan for Gaza’s civilians.
During the visit, President Biden will engage in discussions on strategies to reduce civilian casualties during times of conflict, addressing the growing humanitarian crisis, all while preventing Hamas from benefiting.
Blinken revealed this aid plan decision following nine hours of negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which were interrupted by air raid sirens due to incoming Palestinian rocket fire, necessitating temporary shelter in a bunker. Blinken’s visit to Israel occurred on October 16, 2023, after he returned from a four-day trip to six Arab countries, marking his fifth day of intensive diplomacy in the region.
This diplomatic effort aims to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the loss of over 2,800 Palestinian lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
Blinken stated, “Today, at our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to collaborate on a plan that will facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid from donor nations and international organizations to the civilians in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense has designated around 2000 troops for potential deployment in support of Israel. These troops, hailing from various branches of the US armed services, will primarily offer advisory and medical assistance.
The Wall Street Journal, an American newspaper has disclosed this on Tuesday.
Currently, they are stationed in different regions, including the Middle East and Europe. It’s essential to clarify that these troops are not slated for combat roles, and US officials have not placed any on standby for immediate deployment.
The specific circumstances triggering the deployment of these troops and their ultimate destination remain uncertain, as outlined by The Wall Street Journal.
During an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” President Joe Biden was queried about the possibility of US troops engaging in combat during the Israel-Hamas conflict. He expressed his belief that such involvement was unnecessary, noting the robust capabilities of Israel’s own military forces.
