President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday, putting himself in harm’s way to show that he stands squarely with the country as it reels from Hamas’ surprise attack and prepares a ground invasion meant to wipe out the militant group on its border. The trip will be Biden’s second foray into an active war zone this year. He traveled to Ukraine in February under the tightest secrecy. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Biden’s travel to Israel as the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire and as Israel prepares for a possible ground attack on the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory to root out Hamas militants responsible for what U.S. and Israeli officials say was the most lethal assault against Jews since the Holocaust.
The Associated Press has the story:
Blinken: President Biden to travel to Israel on Wednesday
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday, putting himself in harm’s way to show that he stands squarely with the country as it reels from Hamas’ surprise attack and prepares a ground invasion meant to wipe out the militant group on its border. The trip will be Biden’s second foray into an active war zone this year. He traveled to Ukraine in February under the tightest secrecy.
President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the trip — the president’s second foray into an active war zone this year, having traveled to Ukraine in February under the tightest secrecy.
Biden is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders during the trip, which may also include a visit to neighboring Egypt. U.S. officials have been discussing with Egypt ways to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza caught up in Israel’s siege of the densely populated territory.
Biden’s appearance follows an invitation from Netanyahu. The two leaders had spoken five times since Hamas launched its attack on Oct. 7 killing 1,400 people in Israel. On Sunday, Biden was also invited to Egypt to take part in an upcoming international summit meeting devoted to the future of Palestinians, according to a U.S. official.
The visit comes with unavoidable perils for the sitting president. Hamas has been launching rockets into Israel. An air raid siren went off as Blinken met with Netanyahu and other Israel officials in Tel Aviv on Monday, forcing them to take shelter in a bunker.
Biden is looking to send the strongest message yet that the U.S. is behind Israel. His Democratic administration has pledged military support, sending U.S. carriers and aid to the region. Officials have said they would ask Congress for upward of $2 billion in additional aid for both Israel and Ukraine, which is fighting Russia’s invasion.
Blinken made the announcement early Tuesday after more than seven hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.
