As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, U.S. President Joe Biden is set to embark on a diplomatic mission to Israel. The visit comes in the wake of a devastating strike on a Gaza hospital, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinians. This tragic event has amplified the stakes of Biden’s trip, as he aims to signal support for Israel’s ongoing conflict against Hamas.
Palestinian officials have accused Israel of causing a “massacre” through an air strike on the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital. However, Israel has attributed the blast to a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which denies any involvement. The claims surrounding this catastrophe remain unverified, further deepening the crisis in the region.
The aftermath of the strike has been captured in harrowing footage shown by Al Jazeera, depicting the frantic efforts of rescue workers sifting through blood-stained debris in search of survivors. The death toll varies, with Gaza civil defence officials reporting 300 fatalities, while health ministry sources suggest a toll as high as 500.
Despite the initial intentions of Biden’s visit to foster calm and support humanitarian efforts in Gaza, the strike has led to unforeseen ramifications. Jordan has cancelled a planned summit with the U.S. president, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have also cancelled their meetings with Biden. In response, Palestinian security forces dispersed anti-government protestors in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, deploying tear gas and stun grenades.
The repercussions of this incident have reverberated across the region. Protests have erupted near Israel’s embassies in Turkey and Jordan, as well as in the vicinity of the U.S. embassy in Lebanon, where security forces have resorted to tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Prior to this hospital strike, Gaza health authorities had already reported at least 3,000 deaths during Israel’s 11-day bombardment, which was triggered by the initial Hamas assault. This unexpected escalation led to nearly 200 people being held as hostages in Gaza.
As Biden prepares to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet, his focus will lie in gaining insight into Israel’s plans and objectives. He aims to address the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where millions of Palestinians are struggling with shortages of food, fuel, and water due to Israel’s blockade.
According to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, Biden’s approach will involve confronting Israeli leaders with “tough questions” as a friend, but the details of those questions are yet to be disclosed. It remains uncertain what the U.S. president can achieve during this visit, but he is also expected to engage in discussions with Abbas and Sisi on his way back to Washington.
Richard Gowan, UN director at International Crisis Group, highlights the complexity and increased risks of escalation due to the recent tragic event: “This sort of murky but horrific event makes diplomacy harder and increases escalation risks.”
Iran, a supporter of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah, has issued warnings to Israel, stressing the potential for further escalation if the aggressions against Palestinians persist. As a result of the exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, the U.S. State Department has advised Americans against traveling to Lebanon.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his horror at the loss of life from the hospital strike and has appealed to Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. He has also urged Israel to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for Gaza.
The devastating strike on the Gaza hospital has intensified the challenges facing Biden’s diplomatic mission and has further inflamed the tensions in the Middle East. As the eyes of the world turn to Biden’s visit, hopes for de-escalation and solutions to the humanitarian crisis hang in the balance.
